Review article: Hypertonic saline use in the emergency department

Authors: Banks, Colin J; Furyk, Jeremy S

Source: Emergency Medicine Australasia, Volume 20, Number 4, August 2008 , pp. 294-305(12)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Hypertonic saline (HS) is being increasingly used for the management of a variety of conditions, most notably raised intracranial pressure. This article reviews the available evidence on HS solutions as they relate to emergency medicine, and develops a set of recommendations for its use. To conclude, HS is recommended as an alternative to mannitol for treating raised intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury. HS is also recommended for treating severe and symptomatic hyponatremia, and is worth considering for both recalcitrant tricyclic antidepressant toxicity and for cerebral oedema complicating paediatric diabetic ketoacidosis. HS is not recommended for hypovolaemic resuscitation.

Keywords: brain injury; hypertonic; hyponatremia; intracranial hypertension; resuscitation; saline solution

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-6723.2008.01086.x

Publication date: 2008-08-01