Progressive Fluid Removal Can Avoid Electrolyte Disorders in Severely Burned Patients

The authors retrospectively analyzed data on daily infusion-diuresis ratio from 40 patients with burns over 12-40% of their bodies; half with prolonged hypernatremia half without. They concluded that the volume and rate by which fluid is removed following resuscitation and subsequent patient stabilization causes electrolyte disorders and that serum sodium levels may be used to determine fluid removal strategies.