An intensivist on a learning frenzy. Caring for the critically ill using evidence-based medicine.
To begin, I will disclose my bias. I wanted plasma-lyte to outperform 0.9% NaCl, also called normal saline in critically ill patients. It turns out that after the publication of the PLUS trial, I have to chill the heck out to an extent. On this blog as well as social media, I have scrutinized 0.9% …
Continue reading Plasma-lyte vs. Saline (0.9% NaCl): The PLUS Trial was a Negative Study
I am not a trauma surgeon. I am not a trauma physician. I do not take care of trauma patients in my current practice. I did several rotations in the trauma intensive care unit during my fellowship training but by know means am I going to pretend to have the knowledge that my colleagues who …
Continue reading Resuscitation of Trauma Patients: 0.9% NaCl (saline) or Plasma-lyte?
It has been 7 years since this study came out, and many since. Here we are still using saline like it's benign. Part of the problem is that clinicians get set in their ways and just don't read. Sorry if that offends anyone, but it's true. Some say, "this has always worked and I haven't …
