Hardenberg Jan-Hendrik B, Kunz Julius Valentin, Rubarth Kerstin, Mittermaier Mirja, Pigorsch Mareen, Balzer Felix, Witzenrath Martin, Hinz Ricarda Merle, Körner Roland, Eckardt Kai-Uwe, Knauf Felix, Hinrichs Carl, Enghard Philipp
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, Germany.
Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, BIH Charité Junior Digital Clinician Scientist Program, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany.
Clin Kidney J. 2024 Nov 4;17(11):sfae328. doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfae328. eCollection 2024 Nov.
Hypernatremia presents a common complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, associated with increased mortality and length of stay. This study investigates the effect of sodium chloride 0.9% compared with glucose 5% solution as the standard intravenous drug diluent on the prevalence of hypernatremia in a medical ICU.
This is a retrospective before-and-after study comparing two consecutive patient groups before and after the standard drug solvent was changed from sodium chloride 0.9% to glucose 5% solution for compatible medications. A total of 265 adult COVID-19 patients admitted between October 2020 and March 2021 to the study ICU were included, with 161 patients in the timeframe when sodium chloride 0.9% was employed as the standard drug solvent and 104 patients when glucose 5% was used. Routine sodium measurements from arterial and venous blood gases, along with heparinized lithium plasma, were analyzed. The daily sodium concentrations and the prevalence of severe hypernatremia (>150 mmol/l) were assessed during the first 8 days after ICU admission.
Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The cumulative volume of intravenous drug diluents was comparable. In the glucose 5% group, about half of the total drug diluent volume was glucose 5% [mean (SD): 2251.6 (2355.4) ml], compared to 135.0 (746.9) ml ( < .001) in the control group. Average sodium concentrations diverged after day two, with the glucose 5% group consistently showing lower sodium levels (mean difference of ∼2.5 mmol/l). Severe hypernatremia occurred less frequently in the glucose 5% group (6.6% vs. 20%).
Glucose 5% solution as the standard intravenous drug solvent significantly reduced sodium concentrations and the occurrence of severe hypernatremia. This simple modification in solvent choice may serve as a preventive strategy against hypernatremia in the ICU. Further prospective research is necessary to determine associated clinical outcomes.
The trial was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00031877).
