Early Administration of Intravenous Fluids in Sepsis: Pros and Cons

Fluid resuscitation in the management of patients with sepsis and severe sepsis has been considered the standard of care for almost 2 decades. The rationale for fluid resuscitation is related to improvement in cardiac output and organ perfusion. Recent research evidence challenges the use of fluid resuscitation in patients diagnosed with sepsis. Research is needed to determine the timing of fluid administration, as well as the volume and type of fluid to achieve positive patient outcomes. This article discusses the pros and cons of early fluid administration in the management of patients with sepsis.