Treatment fluid/saline therapy

Calciuric therapy in the form of hydration is a key component of the treatment of hypercalcemia, regardless of severity or presence of symptoms.28 Mild or asymptomatic patients may be encouraged to increase oral fluid intake (3-4 L/day). Patients with moderate to severe or symptomatic hypercalcemia should receive normal saline at 200 to 500 mL/hour according to dehydration and cardiovascular status. Patients should be encouraged to ambulate as much as possible because immobility enhances... 

The mainstay of medical treatment is fluid restriction, but this may not be appropriate in the surgical and critical care patient population. Severe (<120 mmol-L-l) or symptomatic hyponatraemia (mental status changes, seizure) requires more aggressive therapy to reduce cerebral oedema. Infusion of hypertonic saline to increase plasma sodium concentrations to 120-125 mmol L-1 alleviates symptoms. Adjunct therapy with demeclocycline (600 mg-day-1) may assist management in resistant SIADH. Demeclocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic which inhibits the actions of ADH at the renal tubules. 

The fundamental treatment for DKA includes aggressive intravenous hydration and insulin therapy and maintenance of potassium and other electrolyte levels. Fluid and insulin therapy is based on the patient s individual needs and requires frequent reevaluation and modification. Close attention has to be given to hydration and renal status, the sodium and potassium levels, and the rate of correction of plasma glucose and plasma osmolality. Fluid therapy generally begins with normal saline. Regular human insulin should be used for intravenous therapy with a usual starting dose of about 0.1 IU/kg/h. 

In two other trials, one in the United States and the other in Europe, DCLHb was tested in trauma and hemorrhagic shock patients as an adjunct to the current therapies for enhancing oxygen delivery fluids, blood, and operative intervention. In the multicenter, randomized, controlled, single-blinded efficacy trial conducted at 18 U.S. trauma centers from Feb 1997 to Jan 1998, patients with presumed or proven hemorrhage and persistent hypoperfusion were treated with DCLHb or normal saline (control) solution. Although there were no restrictions in the use of fluids, blood, or any other intervention prior to enrollment in this study, once enrolled, the patient received 500 ml of the treatment solution no later than 30 min after first... 

For those patients with normal to moderately impaired renal function, the cornerstone of initial treatment of hypercalcemia is volume expansion to increase urinary calcium excretion (see Table 49-6). Patients with severe renal insufficiency usually do not tolerate volume expansion they may be initiated on therapy with calcitonin. Patients with symptomatic hypercalcemia are often dehydrated secondary to vomiting and polyuria thus rehydration with saline-containing fluids is necessary to interrupt the stimulus for sodium and calcium reabsorption in the renal mbule. ° Rehydration can be accomplished by the infusion of normal saline at rates of 200 to 300 mL/h, depending on concomitant conditions (primarily cardiovascular and renal) and extent of hypercalcemia. Adequacy of hydration is assessed by measuring fluid intake and output or by central venous pressure monitoring. Loop diuretics such as furosemide (40 to 80 mg IV every 1 to 4 hours) or ethacrynic acid (for patients with sulfa allergies) may also be instiffited to increase urinary calcium excretion and to minimize the development of volume overload from the administration of saline (see Table 49-6). Loop diuretics such as furosemide... 

Treatment of minor adverse events may include reassurance, cessation of therapy, and supportive care. In cases of recent overdose, activated charcoal and a saline or sorbitol cathartic should he introduced into the stomach via nasogastric tube. Reassurance and/or benzodiazepines may be used if psychotic reactions, panic, or severe agitation are present. For hypotensive reactions, intravenous fluids and Trendelenburg positioning are usually adequate without the need for pressors or other drugs. 

---