bicarbonate buffered solution

Bicarbonate buffered solution is an intravenous balanced crystalloid fluid designed for intravascular volume maintenance and resuscitation, particularly in major surgical settings such as abdominal surgery and liver transplantation. Unlike traditional balanced solutions like Hartmann's (lactate-buffered) or Plasma-Lyte (acetate/gluconate-buffered), this formulation utilizes bicarbonate (HCO3−) as its primary buffering agent to more closely mimic physiological acid-base balance. It typically contains a chloride concentration of approximately 110 mmol/L, which is similar to Hartmann's solution but lower than normal saline. Clinical research, notably led by Professor Rinaldo Bellomo at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne, has focused on its physiochemical effects, specifically its ability to maintain standard base excess and prevent hyperchloremic acidosis compared to other crystalloids in perioperative environments.

Other names

bicarbonate-buffered crystalloidbicarbonate-buffered solutionBicS