Lactated Ringer's Solution - Therapy

Therapy

Lactated Ringer's solution is often used for fluid resuscitation after a blood loss due to trauma, surgery, or a burn injury. Previously, it was used to induce urine output in patients with renal failure.

Another common use is the treatment of chronic renal failure in small animals, where the solution is administered subcutaneously instead of through an IV. Administering the fluids in this way allows the solution to be given to the animal quickly and does not require a vein to be located. The fluid is then slowly absorbed from under the skin into the bloodstream of the animal.

Lactated Ringer's solution is used because the by-products of lactate metabolism in the liver counteract acidosis, which is a chemical imbalance that occurs with acute fluid loss or renal failure.

The IV dose of lactated Ringer's solution is usually calculated by estimated fluid loss and presumed fluid deficit. For fluid resuscitation the usual rate of administration is 20 to 30 ml/kg body weight/hour. Lactated Ringer's solution is not suitable for maintenance therapy because the sodium content (130 mEq/L) is considered too high, particularly for children, and the potassium content (4 mEq/L) is too low, in view of electrolyte daily requirement.

Other commonly used intravenous fluids include normal saline and Hydroxyethyl starch solutions (used in hypovolemic shock). Lactated Ringer's and other crystalloids are also used as vehicles for the IV delivery of drugs. Lactated Ringer's is usually given intravenously, but if a suitable vein is not found, it can be taken orally (although it has an unpleasant taste).