Intravenous Fluid Administration and the Coagulation System

Intravenous fluid administration in veterinary patients can alter coagulation function by several mechanisms. Both crystalloid and colloid fluids cause hemodilution, reducing platelet count and plasma coagulation protein concentrations. Hemodilution is associated with a hypercoagulable effect at low dilutions and a hypocoagulable effect at higher dilutions. Composition of crystalloid fluids likely has a minor effect, primarily dependent on fluid...