Hemorrhagic, hypovolemic shock resuscitated with Ringer's solution using bicarbonate versus lactate: A...

Isotonic crystalloids are the preferred solution for the initial clinical management of patients with multiple trauma, among which lactated Ringer's solution and normal saline are the most widely used, but both have clinical limitations. Bicarbonated Ringer's solution (BRS), which provides physiological levels of bicarbonate ions and electrolyte ions, can be used to supplement missing extracellular fluid and correct metabolic acidosis.

A prospective, randomized controlled study enrolled 63 patients with traumatic hepatic rupture and hemorrhagic shock. They were randomly assigned to the Bicarbonated group (n = 33) or the Control group (n = 30), which received restrictive fluid resuscitation with sodium bicarbonate Ringer's solution or sodium lactate Ringer's solution, respectively. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, arterial blood lactic acid and potential of hydrogen (pH) were measured prior to, 1, 3, 24, and 72 hours following resuscitation. The primary outcomes were patient survival, shock-related complications, and comparison of the inflammatory factors.

The incidence of complications in the Bicarbonated group was significantly lower than in the Control group (15.15% vs 40.0%; P < .05). The intensive care unit length of stay and mechanical ventilation time in the Bicarbonated group were significantly shorter than in the Control group (all P < .01). The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the Bicarbonated group were significantly lower 1 hour following resuscitation than prior to resuscitation (P < .01), whereas these levels in the Control group were increased following 1h of resuscitation as compared with before resuscitation (P < .01). Following resuscitation, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and lactate in the Bicarbonated group were significantly lower than in the Control group (P < .01). Moreover, in the Bicarbonated group, the lactic acid level decreased and the pH value increased significantly following resuscitation, whereas there was no difference in lactic acid levels and pH value between pre- and 1 hour post-resuscitation in the Control group (P > .05).

The shock-related complications were dramatically reduced from using BRS in these patients. Additionally, the BRS was found to better inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors in their peripheral blood and could correct acidosis.