Hypertonic Saline Is Making Waves

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By Julie Savage RRT and Connie Angeliccho RPFT

Riley Hospital now has hypertonic saline (HTS) available for use.
What is it? HTS is a very concentrated salty solution used for inhalation.
Why? It is can be used for persons with CF who are over six years of age and have trouble clearing mucus from their lungs.

A study was done in Australia showing that a 7% hypertonic saline solution was helpful in clearing mucus, and therefore helped improve lung function. This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in January. Please feel free to log onto the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website, www.cff.org. The website has the article from the NEJM and other helpful information (please see also the additional information related to HTS on this website). As always, we will be happy to answer questions too.

If your physician orders HTS for you or your child, you will be asked to make an appointment with the Riley Pulmonary Function Lab to try the therapy first. The HTS solution can be irritating, so pulmonary function testing must be monitored before and after the first dose. We will show you how to mix a 10% solution with normal saline to make the 7% solution. The CF Pharmacy also has a kit that can be ordered.

[Keyword: Cystic Fibrosis]

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