Renal function in acute asiatic cholera

Acutely dehydrated cholera patients in shock were treated with one of two intravenous solutions to determine whether the composition of the replacement solution had an effect on restoration of renal function. Rapid rehydration was with either the Dacca solution (Group I) or normal saline (Group II), while maintenance was always with the Dacca solution. The Dacca solution contains, in addition to sodium and chloride, potassium and bicarbonate. It was found that the delay in correction of acidosis and potassium deficiency in Group II did not alter the rate of improvement of creatinine clearance to recovery levels. This level was reached in both groups at approximately 6 hours after admission. The patients rehydrated with normal saline excreted a large per cent of filtered water and sodium and a larger absolute amount of hydrogen ion. It was concluded that the return to normal renal function in cholera depends primarily upon rapid restoration of extracellular fluid volume.