The American journal of the medical sciences
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Meta Analysis
The Safety of Intravenous Peripheral Administration of 3% Hypertonic Saline: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Three percent hypertonic saline (3% HTS) is used to treat several critical conditions such as severe and symptomatic hyponatremia and increased intracranial pressure. It has been traditionally administered through a central venous catheter (CVC). The avoidance of peripheral intravenous infusion of 3% HTS stems theoretically from the concern about the ability of the peripheral veins to tolerate hyperosmolar infusions. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the rate of complications associated with the infusion of 3% HTS using peripheral intravenous access. ⋯ Peripheral administration of 3% HTS is considered a safe and possibly preferred option as it carries a low risk of complications and is a less invasive procedure compared to CVC.