Blood

• Large transfusions can cause complications such as infection, DIC, immune reactions, biochemical disorders etc.

Colloid

• No oxygen carrying capacity
• Limit on amount to be used per 24 h
• Biochemically different to plasma

0.9 % saline/Hartmann’s solution

• No oxygen carrying capacity
• Small biochemical differences to plasma
• Does not stay in circulation very long
• Need larger quantities to fluid resuscitate

5 % Glucose

• No oxygen carrying capacity
• Essentially metabolized to water and carbon dioxide
• Very poor volume expansion