Clinical examination of acetated Ringer solution in patients with normal liver function and those with liver dysfunction]

Acetated Ringer solution (AR) was studied clinically to find its usefulness in patients with liver dysfunction compared with lactated Ringer solution (LR). The thirty-eight patients scheduled to be operated were divided into four groups (Group I: with normal liver function and AR infused, Group II: with normal liver function and LR infused, Group III: with liver dysfunction and AR infused, Group IV: with liver dysfunction and LR infused). AR or LR was administered to each group at a speed of 10 ml.kg-1.h-1, and we investigated the differences of these four groups clinically. L-lactic acid increased significantly in all groups after administration of AR or LR. D-lactic acid increased in LR groups, and acetic acid increased in AR groups. However, the other parameters, including the acid-base balance, electrolytes and liver function, showed no significant changes in any group. Therefore the status of liver dysfunction did not affect the metabolism of lactic acid in this study. These findings indicate that as an intraoperative fluid, AR is just as useful as LR. However, there was no significant difference between the data of AR groups compared with those of LR groups. In conclusion, AR is not necessarily a better fluid compared with LR as an intraoperative fluid in patients with liver dysfunction.