So, your patient's in shock: quick, give some fluids. But colloids or crystalloids? How to choose? They both raise blood pressure, they both improve organ perfusion -- but one's less filling, the other tastes great (what, you haven't tried them?). It's no wonder the question makes your head hurt; the evidence base is a jumble. The
Do colloids save lives in hypovolemic shock?
Do colloids save lives in hypovolemic shock?
Do colloids save lives in hypovolemic shock?
So, your patient's in shock: quick, give some fluids. But colloids or crystalloids? How to choose? They both raise blood pressure, they both improve organ perfusion -- but one's less filling, the other tastes great (what, you haven't tried them?). It's no wonder the question makes your head hurt; the evidence base is a jumble. The