My point is that crystalloids are excellent—when used appropriately. They are especially effective in situations of hypovolemia, low arterial pressure, and low hydrostatic pressure. In these cases, crystalloids can be life-saving. My name is Professor Robert Hahn, and I'm from Stockholm, Sweden. This is my third time attending the IFAD meeting, and it's a pleasure to be here again. In my talk today, I emphasized that crystalloids are effective for managing hypovolemic shock. On the other hand, I presented the view that colloid preloading before surgery has very limited value, with the possible exception of obstetrics. Finally, I addressed a common misconception by challenging some of the older studies suggesting damage to the glycocalyx in hypovolemic states. I believe that several of these studies are methodologically flawed or have been misinterpreted. I think IFAD is a truly special meeting. It has succeeded in bringing together world leaders in fluid therapy, creating an impressive and diverse faculty. Historically, fluid therapy has been guided more by personal experience and clinical intuition than by evidence. It's only in the last 15 years that we've seen the emergence of a strong scientific foundation—and that foundation is growing rapidly. What makes IFAD unique is that it provides dedicated space for a topic that is too often overlooked at other meetings. The decision to devote an entire congress to fluid therapy is not only well-founded—it's critically important. I sincerely wish the meeting continued success in the years to come.

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