[Infusion solutions].

Abstract

Infusion solutions or preparations for intravenous administration have been developed since 1830 after the work of Thomas Latta. This particular pharmaceutical form, which brings large accounts of liquid (100 to 3000 ml) and nourishes, equilibrates, hydrates, clears, serves as a vehicule for many drugs and allows organ storage, has had a considerable development owing to its successes in a number of severe diseases and because it has supported the emergence of critical care and intensive care medicine. This form has an unappreciated story. It was first used in hospitals but it is now manufactured by the pharmaceutical industry after a long series of technical improvements and galenic innovations bringing solutions to the problems successively encountered (microbial contamination, embolism, blood alteration, "saline fever", degradation and adsorption of drugs, allergic shock...) and answers to the new requirements resulting from progresses in physiology and biology (hydroeletrolytic support, plasma expansion, energy supply, acidobasic homeostasis, malnutrition...). This story is depicted with respect to the indications, the formulation, the infusion devices from the origin to nowadays.