• Lewis J Kaplan and John A Kellum.
• Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Section of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Surgical Emergencies, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
• Curr Opin Crit Care. 2010 Aug 1;16(4):323-31.

Purpose Of ReviewSignificant attention has been recently focused on both maintenance fluid and resuscitation fluid use in critical care. Accordingly, a focused review of the properties of crystalloid and colloid fluids, their expected benefits, and potential deleterious side effects is appropriate and timely.Recent FindingsDespite their ubiquitous use, well described side effects, and ability to be titrated to a physiologic endpoint, fluids are rarely considered in a fashion similar to other pharmacologic agents. Understanding their physical and chemical properties allows the clinician to understand, anticipate and deliberately harness their expected impact on acid-base balance. Expanded insights into the pathogenesis of common acid-base disorders may be gleaned from utilizing a physicochemical approach that allows the precise quantification of the ionic species that impact pH.SummaryThis focused review further enables the clinician to appropriately investigate, modify, and optimize bedside clinical care related to fluid and acid-base management.

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