DISCUSSION
Recent reports have investigated the impact of sodium
chloride 0.9% infusion on acid-base balance.
7-10
These
reports describe the development of metabolic
hyperchloraemic acidosis after the rapid administration
of large amounts of chloride-rich solutions. However,
there are little data assessing whether standard care, such
as maintenance infusion and occasional fluid bolus,
delivered to intensive care unit patients has an impact
on their acid-base and biochemical status. Our findings
confirm that even when given over a long period (24
hours) and in limited dose (89 mmol), the intravenous
chloride load influences patients’ acid-base and
biochemical status by inducing metabolic
hyperchloraemic acidosis.