There are many different intravenous fluids available for doctors to use. Each one of these fluids has potential advantages as well as potential disadvantages. Doctors will often look at many things when deciding which fluid to give including the results of bloodwork and the clinical characteristics of the patients themselves. There is limited direction from research studies taht using one fluid type is better than another. Some preliminary research in the field has suggested that one specific electrolyte, call chloride, may be harmful when given to patients in high concentrations. Animal research has shown that the administration of high chloride fluids may be harmful to the lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal and muscle cells. Some intravenous fluids have higher concentrations of chloride than others.