COMPARISON BETWEEN THE EFFECTS OF 5 PERCENT HYPERTONIC SODIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTION AND 0.9 PERCENT SODIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTION ON LEFT VENTRICUL AR CONTRACTION

Hypertonic saline solution can absorb part of the intracellular fluid volume into the extracellular space. The effects of this solution on the cardiovascular system are increased coronary flow and increased left ventricular contraction, without sympathetic system activation. This study was designed to assess the effects of hypertonic saline solution in open heart surgery and to compare it with normal saline solution. In a case control double-blind study, 46 patients (two groups of23 patients each) were selected and treated with 2 different methods after open heart surgery. The first group (case) received 5% hypertonic saline solution and the second group (control) received 0.9 percent saline. Physical exam findings, left ventricular pressure and urinary output were measured to compare the two groups. 2, 3, 5, 10 and 30 minutes after the injection of the solution, the indicators of the study were measured. Left ventricular pressure and pulse rate were decreased and mean arterial pressure was increased in the case group. Urinary output in the case group was more than the control. It therefore seems that hypertonic saline solution can increase cardiac contractility without increasing sympathetic activity, and thus has positive inotropic effects. This solution seems more useful regarding it's therapeutic effects in open heart surgery.