Effect of 3% Hypertonic Saline Resuscitation on Lactate Clearance and Its Comparison With 0.9% Normal Saline in Traumatic Injury Patients: A Prospective Randomized Control Trial

Background: Fluid resuscitation with normal saline (NS) can aggravate lactate production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of small-volume resuscitation using 3% hypertonic sodium chloride (HS) and its comparison with NS in trauma patients. The primary endpoint was an increase in lactate clearance after 1 hr of fluid resuscitation. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of hemodynamic stability, the volume of transfusion, correction of metabolic acidosis, and complications such as fluid overload and abnormal serum sodium levels. Materials and methods: It was a prospective, randomized, single-blind study. The study was conducted on 60 patients who arrived at the trauma center for emergency operative intervention. Inclusion criteria for patient selection were trauma victims of age more than 18 years and the requirement of emergency operative intervention for trauma except for traumatic brain injury. Patients were divided into two groups: Group HS (hypertonic saline) and Group NS (normal saline). Patients were resuscitated with either 3% HS (4ml/kg) or 0.9% NS (20ml/kg). Results: The HS group had higher lactate clearance at 1 hour compared to the NS group, and this difference was statistically significant with a p-value of <0.001. When hemodynamic parameters were compared at 30 and 60 minutes after resuscitation, the HS group had a significantly lower heart rate (p<0.05 at 30 minutes and <0.001 at 60 minutes, respectively), a higher mean arterial pressure at 60 minutes (p<0.001), a higher pH at 60 minutes (p< 0.05), and a higher bicarbonate concentration at 60 minutes (p<0.05). The HS and NS groups had significant differences in serum sodium levels at 60 minutes (p<0.001). Conclusions: Resuscitation with 3% hypertonic saline improved lactate clearance. Lower volumes of fluid infusion for resuscitation achieved better hemodynamic stability and correction of metabolic acidosis in the hypertonic saline group. Our study shows that hypertonic saline can be a promising fluid for small-volume resuscitation in trauma patients with compensated mild to moderate shock.