Re: Ringer's solution

From:RSRICHMOND@aol.com

Denise Long Woodward writes:

>>the ER Doc directing them (paramedics, Johnny and ????)  to "start Lactated 
Ringer's" solution , usually "wide open". Don't ask me what the "lactated" 
means, please!!<<

Ringer's solution is buffered with bicarbonate, which if given to excess can 
shift the patient's pH too high (metabolic alkalosis). My old teacher Alexis 
Hartmann Sr. (chair of pediatrics at Washington University in St. Louis, 
Missouri until his death about 1964) - probably in the 1920's - replaced the 
bicarbonate with lactate to avoid this problem, since the body disposes of 
lactate very rapidly by converting into pyruvate, which is.... oh, never mind.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN



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