Buffered solutions did not reduce mortality compared to 0.9% saline for resuscitation in critically ill adults and children

Abstract

What is this? Some patients with COVID-19 will become critically ill and need intravenous fluids. Saline 0.9% is the most commonly used crystalloid solutions for critically ill patients, but buffered solutions are also used. In this Cochrane systematic review, the authors searched for randomized trials evaluating buffered solutions versus intravenous 0.9% saline for adults and children in critical care. They did not restrict by type, date or language of publication and did their searches in July 2018. They identified 21 eligible studies (20,213 participants, with 94% of these patients in three of the trials), and three ongoing studies.