New concepts in intravenous fluid therapy

Background: Intravenous fluid therapy is essential in the management of hospitalized patients, especially in those with acute or critical illness. It has been proposed four premises, four indications, four questions, and four phases for guidance of this fluid therapy. Objective: The objective of this manuscript is to review these new concepts of intravenous fluid therapy. Conclusion: These phases of intravenous fluid resuscitation coexist continuously and with a variability observed on fluid balance, is meant as a dynamic process, not as a temporary fixed pattern or a time scale and which must be individualized to the clinical context of patient.