Treatment of electrolyte disorders in adult patients in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Purpose. The treatment of electrolyte dis-orders in adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), including guidelines for cor-recting specific electrolyte disorders, is reviewed. Summary. Electrolytes are involved in many metabolic and homeostatic func-tions. Electrolyte disorders are common in adult patients in the ICU and have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as has the improper treatment of electrolyte disorders. A limited number of prospective, randomized, controlled studies have been conducted evaluating the optimal treatment of electrolyte disor