Balanced Salt Solution

Balanced Salt Solution is a sterile irrigating solution. It is isotonic and is used to irrigate the tissues of the eyes. Calcium chloride is used to prevent or treat negative calcium balance. It also regulates the excitation threshold of the action potential, and that helps nerves and muscles work properly. Potassium chloride supplies potassium, a major cation of the intracellular fluid. Potassium takes an active part in conducting nerve impulses in the heart, brain and skeletal muscle. It is also involved in contraction of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscles, and in maintaining normal renal function, acid-base balance, carbohydrate metabolism and gastric secretion. Sodium chloride is the major extracellular cation. It matters for electrolyte and fluid balance, osmotic pressure control and water distribution, because it restores sodium ions. It is used as a source of electrolytes and water for hydration, for treating metabolic acidosis, as a priming solution in haemodialysis and for treating hyperosmolar diabetes. It is also used as a diluent for infusion of compatible drug additives. Magnessium Chloride acts as a cofactor in numerous enzymatic reactions involving protein synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. It depresses the CNS, blocks peripheral neuromuscular transmission and produces anticonvulsant effects. Sodium chloride also helps control total body water and its distribution. Sodium is the main cation in the extracellular fluid and makes up >90% of total cations. The acetate component is an alternate source of bicarbonate, formed by metabolic conversion in the liver.