Effect of dextrose-crystalloid priming solution on fluid requirements and urine output during cardiopulmonary bypass

We examined the influence of the addition of dextrose to crystalloid cardiopulmonary bypass priming solution. Ten patients received only lactated Ringer's solution during the perioperative period and as their cardiopulmonary bypass priming solution, while ten others, managed identically in all other respects, received only 5% dextrose in lactated Ringer's solution (D5LR). During cardiopulmonary bypass, patients who did not receive glucose required more supplementary fluid (20.0 vs 2.2 ml Kg(-1) hr(-1)) to maintain adequate flow rates, but made less urine (1.1 vs 2.8 ml Kg(-1)) than their glucose-treated cohorts. Postoperative hemoglobin was significantly lower in the group receiving lactated Ringer's solution (-14%) but not in the patients receiving D5LR (-6%). We conclude that the addition of dextrose to a crystalloid priming solution decreases intraoperative fluid requirements and helps restore precardiopulmonary bypass hemoglobin without the need for diuretics or blood products.