Contribution of intravenous medication diluent fluid composition on the development of dyschloremia in intensive care unit patients: A retrospective chart review

Objective: Intravenous solutions such as dextrose 5% in water and 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) differ in electrolyte composition from human plasma and may contribute to serum chloride derangements (dyschloremia). This retrospective study aimed to explore the relationship between fluid compos...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mahsa Movahedan, Glen Brown
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-07-01
Series:SAGE Open Medicine
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121251356069
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850102234536214528
author Mahsa Movahedan
Glen Brown
author_facet Mahsa Movahedan
Glen Brown
author_sort Mahsa Movahedan
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Intravenous solutions such as dextrose 5% in water and 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) differ in electrolyte composition from human plasma and may contribute to serum chloride derangements (dyschloremia). This retrospective study aimed to explore the relationship between fluid composition, particularly medication diluents, and dyschloremia development in the intensive care unit. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of adult intensive care unit patients with normal serum chloride on admission who developed dyschloremia after 48 h of intensive care unit admission. Data were collected on fluid types and volumes administered in the intensive care unit in the 7 days prior to dyschloremia onset. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to compare characteristics between patients who developed hyperchloremia and hypochloremia. Results: Of 884 screened patients, 85 developed dyschloremia after 48 h (41 hypochloremia, 44 hyperchloremia). There was no significant association between the proportion of normal saline or dextrose 5% in water-containing fluids and the type of dyschloremia. However, dexmedetomidine, typically diluted in normal saline, was associated with hyperchloremia. Conclusion: While total fluid composition was not associated with dyschloremia type, high-volume use of specific diluent-medication combinations may contribute. Strategies to minimize diluent volume could help reduce dyschloremia risk.
format Article
id doaj-art-cc5dbac0e77f45249ebd898d9c7f3e42
institution DOAJ
issn 2050-3121
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher SAGE Publishing
record_format Article
series SAGE Open Medicine
spelling doaj-art-cc5dbac0e77f45249ebd898d9c7f3e422025-08-20T02:39:48ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open Medicine2050-31212025-07-011310.1177/20503121251356069Contribution of intravenous medication diluent fluid composition on the development of dyschloremia in intensive care unit patients: A retrospective chart reviewMahsa Movahedan0Glen Brown1Intensive Care Unit, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, CanadaIntensive Care Unit, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, CanadaObjective: Intravenous solutions such as dextrose 5% in water and 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) differ in electrolyte composition from human plasma and may contribute to serum chloride derangements (dyschloremia). This retrospective study aimed to explore the relationship between fluid composition, particularly medication diluents, and dyschloremia development in the intensive care unit. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of adult intensive care unit patients with normal serum chloride on admission who developed dyschloremia after 48 h of intensive care unit admission. Data were collected on fluid types and volumes administered in the intensive care unit in the 7 days prior to dyschloremia onset. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to compare characteristics between patients who developed hyperchloremia and hypochloremia. Results: Of 884 screened patients, 85 developed dyschloremia after 48 h (41 hypochloremia, 44 hyperchloremia). There was no significant association between the proportion of normal saline or dextrose 5% in water-containing fluids and the type of dyschloremia. However, dexmedetomidine, typically diluted in normal saline, was associated with hyperchloremia. Conclusion: While total fluid composition was not associated with dyschloremia type, high-volume use of specific diluent-medication combinations may contribute. Strategies to minimize diluent volume could help reduce dyschloremia risk.https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121251356069
spellingShingle Mahsa Movahedan
Glen Brown
Contribution of intravenous medication diluent fluid composition on the development of dyschloremia in intensive care unit patients: A retrospective chart review
SAGE Open Medicine
title Contribution of intravenous medication diluent fluid composition on the development of dyschloremia in intensive care unit patients: A retrospective chart review
title_full Contribution of intravenous medication diluent fluid composition on the development of dyschloremia in intensive care unit patients: A retrospective chart review
title_fullStr Contribution of intravenous medication diluent fluid composition on the development of dyschloremia in intensive care unit patients: A retrospective chart review
title_full_unstemmed Contribution of intravenous medication diluent fluid composition on the development of dyschloremia in intensive care unit patients: A retrospective chart review
title_short Contribution of intravenous medication diluent fluid composition on the development of dyschloremia in intensive care unit patients: A retrospective chart review
title_sort contribution of intravenous medication diluent fluid composition on the development of dyschloremia in intensive care unit patients a retrospective chart review
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121251356069
work_keys_str_mv AT mahsamovahedan contributionofintravenousmedicationdiluentfluidcompositiononthedevelopmentofdyschloremiainintensivecareunitpatientsaretrospectivechartreview
AT glenbrown contributionofintravenousmedicationdiluentfluidcompositiononthedevelopmentofdyschloremiainintensivecareunitpatientsaretrospectivechartreview