Tag: IV saline

Beneficial effects of intermittent intravenous saline infusion in dysautonomic patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a caseseries

Abstract:

Purpose. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating condition with no single, uniformly effective pharmacologic therapy. Dysautonomic features like orthostatic intolerance and postural tachycardia syndrome are common features in ME/CFS, severely affecting the patient´s quality-of-life. Intermittent saline infusion may reduce symptoms associated with dysautonomia, but this has not been tested scientifically in patients with ME/CFS.

In this case-series, 22 patients with ME/CFS and signs of dysautonomia and/or hypovolemia were treated every third week over 9 weeks with intravenous saline (9 mg/mL NaCl), using standard aseptic technique. Symptoms were monitored throughout the treatment regime, and a follow-up evaluation was conducted.

Results. At treatment start, patients were predominantly female (95%), at mean age 46 ± 10 years, and with a mean body hydration percentage of 48 ± 6. Self-reported health status revealed an overall symptom score of 47 ± 13 on a 0-96 scale, a median POTS score of 64 (IQR 16) on a 0-120 scale, and poor measures of quality-of-life (median 25 IQR 25, on a 0-100 scale) and abilityto-work (median 0, IQR 26, on a 0-100 scale). Following 9 weeks of intermittent saline infusion (mean volume 1600 ± 360 mL), self-reported composite symptom score, quality-of-life and POTS-related symptoms improved significantly (all p<0.001), as did ability-to-work (p<0.05).

Our data derived from a non-controlled case-series indicate health benefits from volume loading with intermittent infusion of saline among patients with ME/CFS, which may stimulate further studies on various forms of intravenous volume loading to patients with ME/CFS and dysautonomia.

Source: Per Sjogren, Helena Huhmar, Bo Christer Bertilson, Björn A Bragée, Olli Polo. Beneficial effects of intermittent intravenous saline infusion in dysautonomic patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a caseseries. Front. Neurol., Sec. Autonomic Disorders, Volume 16 – 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1601599 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1601599/abstract

Cardiopulmonary responses to exercise in an individual with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome during long-term treatment with intravenous saline: A case study

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) causes significant impairment in daily activities, including the ability to pursue daily activities. Chronotropic intolerance is becoming better characterized in ME/CFS and may be the target of supportive treatment.

OBJECTIVE:To document the effect of repeated intravenous (IV) saline administration on cardiovascular functioning and symptoms in a 38-year old female with ME/CFS.

METHODS:The patient received 1 L of 0.9% IV saline through a central line for a total of 675 days. Single CPETs were completed periodically to assess the effect of treatment on cardiopulmonary function at peak exertion and ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT). An open-ended symptom questionnaire was used to assess subjective responses to CPET and self-reported recovery time.

RESULTS:Improvements were noted in volume of oxygen consumed (VO2), heart rate (HR), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) at peak and VAT. Self-reported recovery time from CPET reduced from 5 days to 1–2 days by the end of treatment. The patient reported improved quality of life related, improved capacity for activities of daily living, and reduced symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:IV saline may promote beneficial effects for cardiopulmonary function and symptoms in people with ME/CFS, which should be the focus of formal study.

Source: Davenport, Todd E., Ward, Michael K., Stevens, Staci R., Stevens, Jared, Snell, Christopher R., VanNess, J. Mark. Cardiopulmonary responses to exercise in an individual with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome during long-term treatment with intravenous saline: A case study. Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-7, 2020 https://content.iospress.com/articles/work/wor203214