Saline versus balanced crystalloids for intravenous fluid therapy in the emergency department: study protocol for a cluster-randomized, multiple-crossover trial

An early warning model for predicting major adverse kidney events within 30 days in acute pancreatitis patients

BACKGROUND

Renal impairment is a common outcome of acute pancreatitis. Nevertheless, research on predictive models for major adverse kidney events within 30 days (MAKE30) in acute pancreatitis (AP) has been scarce.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at Gansu Provincial Hospital, involving 391 patients with acute pancreatitis who were categorized into non-MAKE30 (320 cases) and MAKE30 (71 cases) groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the independent risk factors for MAKE30 in the aforementioned patient cohort. The nomogram was developed utilizing findings from a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Subsequent evaluation of the nomogram involved the use of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. Additionally, subgroup analyses were performed to different AP etiology and assess secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Gender, respiratory rate (RR), creatinine (Cr), interleukin 6 (IL-6), prothrombin time (PT), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) were identified as associated predictors of Major Adverse Kidney Events within 30 days (MAKE30) in patients with acute pancreatitis. A nomogram model was developed based on these predictors. Evaluation using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses (DCA) demonstrated that the nomogram model exhibited significant discrimination (AUC = 0.842) > the SOFA score (AUC = 0.809), excellent calibration, and substantial clinical utility. Subgroup analysis showed the nomogram model provided good predictive value for both secondary outcomes and various etiologies.

CONCLUSION

This model shows promise in efficiently and accurately evaluating the risk of developing MAKE30 in acute pancreatitis patients within the first 24 h of hospitalization.

Treatment Challenges and Controversies in the Management of Critically Ill Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Patients in Intensive Care Units

This review discusses the challenges and controversies in the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS). Key areas include the selection of intravenous (IV) fluids, insulin therapy, strategies for preventing and monitoring cerebral edema (CE) by managing hyperglycemia overcorrection, electrolyte replacement, timing of nutrition, use of IV sodium bicarbonate, and airway management in critically ill DKA patients. Isotonic normal saline remains the standard for initial fluid resuscitation, though balanced solutions have been shown to have faster DKA resolution. Current guidelines recommend using continuous IV insulin for DKA management after fluid status has been restored potassium levels have been achieved and subcutaneous (SQ) insulin is started only after the resolution of metabolic acidosis. In comparison, the British guidelines recommend using SQ insulin glargine along with continuous regular IV insulin, which has shown faster DKA resolution and shorter hospital stays compared to continuous IV insulin alone. Although rare, rapid overcorrection of hyperglycemia with fluids and insulin can lead to CE, seizures, and death. Clinicians should be aware of risk factors and preventive strategies for CE. DKA frequently involves multiple electrolyte abnormalities, such as hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, and hypomagnesemia and regular monitoring is essential for DKA management. Early initiation of oral nutrition has been shown to reduce intensive care unit and overall hospital length of stay. For impending respiratory failure, Bilevel positive airway pressure is not recommended due to aspiration risks. Instead, intubation and mechanical ventilation, with monitoring and management of acid-base and fluid status, are recommended. The use of sodium bicarbonate is discouraged due to the potential for worsening ketosis, hypokalemia, and risk of CE. However, IV sodium bicarbonate can be considered if the serum pH falls below 6.9, or when serum pH is less than 7.2 and/or serum bicarbonate levels are below 10 mEq/L, pre-and post-intubation, to prevent metabolic acidosis and hemodynamic collapse that occurs from apnea during intubation. Managing DKA and HHS in critically ill patients includes using balanced IV fluid solutions to restore volume status, followed by continuous IV insulin, early use of SQ glargine insulin, electrolyte replacement, and monitoring, CE preventive strategies by avoiding hyperglycemia overcorrection, early nutritional support, and appropriate airway management.

Treatment of Acute Kidney Injury: A Review of Current Approaches and Emerging Innovations

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex and life-threatening condition with multifactorial etiologies, ranging from ischemic injury to nephrotoxic exposures. Management is founded on treating the underlying cause of AKI, but supportive care-via fluid management, vasopressor therapy, kidney replacement therapy (KRT), and more-is also crucial. Blood pressure targets are often higher in AKI, and these can be achieved with fluids and vasopressors, some of which may be more kidney-protective than others. Initiation of KRT is controversial, and studies have not consistently demonstrated any benefit to early start dialysis. There are no targeted pharmacotherapies for AKI itself, but some do exist for complications of AKI; additionally, medications become a key aspect of AKI management because changes in renal function and dialysis support can lead to issues with both toxicities and underdosing. This review will cover existing literature on these and other aspects of AKI treatment. Additionally, this review aims to identify gaps and challenges and to offer recommendations for future research and clinical practice.

Overview of clinical study designs

The goal of a clinical study is to determine the factors associated with a disease and to assess the efficacy and safety of an investigational drug, procedure, or device. Since clinical study designs vary due to unique requirements of individual studies, the aims of this report are to educate researchers on the different types of studies and to assist researchers in choosing the optimal study type to fulfill their individual requirements. Clinical studies are classified into the two main types, observational studies and clinical trials, depending on the presence or absence of an intervention. Observational studies include case-control studies, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies. Case-control and cohort studies may be prospective or retrospective, and case-control studies may be nested or not. Clinical trials may be pragmatic and may be controlled or noncontrolled; randomized or nonrandomized; open label or blinded; and parallel, crossover, or factorial. These observational and clinical trial designs are reviewed. Each type of clinical study has advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, researchers must consider these in choosing the design best suited for achieving their study objectives.

An early warning model for predicting major adverse kidney events within 30 days in sepsis patients

Background

In sepsis patients, kidney damage is among the most dangerous complications, with a high mortality rate. In addition, major adverse kidney events within 30 days (MAKE30) served as a comprehensive and unbiased clinical outcome measure for sepsis patients due to the recent shift toward targeting patient-centered renal outcomes in clinical research. However, the underlying predictive model for the prediction of MAKE30 in sepsis patients has not been reported in any study.

Methods

A cohort of 2,849 sepsis patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database was selected and subsequently allocated into a training set (n = 2,137, 75%) and a validation set (n = 712, 25%) through randomization. In addition, 142 sepsis patients from the Xi'An No. 3 Hospital as an external validation group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to ascertain the independent predictors of MAKE30. Subsequently, a nomogram was developed utilizing these predictors, with an area under curve (AUC) above 0.6. The performance of nomogram was assessed through calibration curve, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The secondary outcome was 30-day mortality, persistent renal dysfunction (PRD), and new renal replacement therapy (RRT). MAKE30 were a composite of death, PRD, new RRT.

Results

The construction of the nomogram was based on several independent predictors (AUC above 0.6), including age, respiratory rate (RR), PaO2, lactate, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The predictive model demonstrated satisfactory discrimination for MAKE30, with an AUC of 0.740, 0.753, and 0.821 in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively. Furthermore, the simple prediction model exhibited superior predictive value compared to the SOFA model in both the training (AUC = 0.710) and validation (AUC = 0.692) cohorts. The nomogram demonstrated satisfactory calibration and clinical utility as evidenced by the calibration curve and DCA. Additionally, the predictive model exhibited excellent accuracy in forecasting 30-day mortality (AUC = 0.737), PRD (AUC = 0.639), and new RRT (AUC = 0.846) within the training dataset. Additionally, the model displayed predictive power for 30-day mortality (AUC = 0.765), PRD (AUC = 0.667), and new RRT (AUC = 0.783) in the validation set.

Conclusion

The proposed nomogram holds the potential to estimate the risk of MAKE30 promptly and efficiently in sepsis patients within the initial 24 h of admission, thereby equipping healthcare professionals with valuable insights to facilitate personalized interventions.

Saline versus Plasma Solution-A in Initial Resuscitation of Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Although saline is commonly used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or post-cardiac arrest care, it has detrimental effects. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a balanced crystalloid solution (Plasma Solution-A [PS]) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients and compare it with the efficacy of saline.

METHODS

A randomized, unblinded clinical trial was conducted using PS and saline for intravenous fluid administration during CPR and post-cardiac arrest care of non-traumatic OHCA patients admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary university hospital. Patients received saline (saline group) or PS (PS group) within 24 h of hospital arrival. The primary outcomes were changes in arterial pH, bicarbonate, base excess (BE), and chloride levels within 24 h. The secondary outcomes were clinical outcomes including mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 364 patients, data from 27 and 26 patients in the saline and PS groups, respectively, were analyzed. Analysis using a linear mixed model revealed a significant difference in BE change over time between the groups (treatment-by-time p = 0.044). Increase in BE and bicarbonate levels from 30 min to 2 h was significantly greater (p = 0.044 and p = 0.024, respectively) and the incidence of hyperchloremia was lower (p < 0.001) in the PS group than in the saline group. However, there was no difference in clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Use of PS for resuscitation resulted in a faster improvement in BE and bicarbonate, especially in the early phase of post-cardiac arrest care, and lower hyperchloremia incidence than the use of saline, without differences in clinical outcomes, in OHCA patients.

Hypernatremia in Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Rare Metabolic Derangement Requiring a Cautionary Approach in Fluid Resuscitation

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with hypernatremia is an atypical metabolic derangement that warrants additional consideration in choosing IV fluids. Our patient, a middle-aged male with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension, presented with DKA and hypernatremia in the setting of poor intake, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and COVID-19. DKA and hypernatremia led to a meticulous approach to fluid resuscitation, where a crystalloid solution was the choice in treating and preventing exacerbation of either condition. Successful treatment of these conditions requires understanding the unique pathophysiology, which demands further research on management.

Balanced Crystalloid versus Saline in Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury: Secondary Analysis of a Clinical Trial

Balanced crystalloids may improve outcomes compared with saline for some critically ill adults. Lower tonicity of balanced crystalloids could worsen cerebral edema in patients with intracranial pathology. The effect of balanced crystalloids versus saline on clinical outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) requires further study. We planned an a priori subgroup analysis of TBI patients enrolled in the pragmatic, cluster-randomized, multiple-crossover Isotonic Solutions and Major Adverse Renal Events Trial (SMART) (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02444988, NCT02547779). Primary outcome was 30-day in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital discharge disposition (home, facility, death). Regression models adjusted for pre-specified baseline covariates compared outcomes. TBI patients assigned to balanced crystalloids (n = 588) and saline (n = 569) had similar baseline characteristics including Injury Severity Score 19 (10); mean maximum head/neck Abbreviated Injury Score, 3.4 (1.0). Isotonic crystalloid volume administered between intensive care unit admission and first of hospital discharge or 30 days was 2037 (3470) mL and 1723 (2923) mL in the balanced crystalloids and saline groups, respectively (p = 0.18). During the study period, 94 (16%) and 82 (14%) patients (16%) died in the balanced crystalloid and saline groups, respectively (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60 to 1.75; p = 0.913). Patients in the balanced crystalloid group were more likely to die or be discharged to another medical facility (aOR 1.38 [1.02-1.86]; p = 0.04). Overall, balanced crystalloids were associated with worse discharge disposition in critically injured patients with TBI compared with saline. The confidence intervals cannot exclude a clinically relevant increase in mortality when balanced crystalloids are used for patients with TBI.

Feasibility of Extracting Meaningful Patient Centered Outcomes From the Electronic Health Record Following Critical Illness in the Elderly

Background

Meaningful patient centered outcomes of critical illness such as functional status, cognition and mental health are studied using validated measurement tools that may often be impractical outside the research setting. The Electronic health record (EHR) contains a plethora of information pertaining to these domains. We sought to determine how feasible and reliable it is to assess meaningful patient centered outcomes from the EHR.

Methods

Two independent investigators reviewed EHR of a random sample of ICU patients looking at documented assessments of trajectory of functional status, cognition, and mental health. Cohen's kappa was used to measure agreement between 2 reviewers. Post ICU health in these domains 12 month after admission was compared to pre- ICU health in the 12 months prior to assess qualitatively whether a patient's condition was “better,” “unchanged” or “worse.” Days alive and out of hospital/health care facility was a secondary outcome.

Results

Thirty six of the 41 randomly selected patients (88%) survived critical illness. EHR contained sufficient information to determine the difference in health status before and after critical illness in most survivors (86%). Decline in functional status (36%), cognition (11%), and mental health (11%) following ICU admission was observed compared to premorbid baseline. Agreement between reviewers was excellent (kappa ranging from 0.966 to 1). Eighteen patients (44%) remained home after discharge from hospital and rehabilitation during the 12- month follow up.

Conclusion

We demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of assessing the trajectory of changes in functional status, cognition, and selected mental health outcomes from EHR of critically ill patients. If validated in a larger, representative sample, these outcomes could be used alongside survival in quality improvement studies and pragmatic clinical trials.

Major adverse kidney events within 30 days in patients with acute pancreatitis: a tertiary-center cohort study

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the event rate of major adverse kidney events within 30 days (MAKE30) in acute pancreatitis (AP) and its potential risk factors.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a tertiary center data on all AP patients admitted within 72 h after onset of abdominal pain between June 2015 and June 2019 was conducted. MAKE30 - a composite of death, new renal replacement therapy (RRT), or persistent renal dysfunction (PRD) - and its individual components were retrieved at discharge or 30 days. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors for MAKE30.

RESULTS

295 patients were enrolled and 16% experienced MAKE30. For individual components, the incidence was 3% for death, 15% for new RRT, and 5% for PRD. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, hyperchloremia at admission [OR = 8.38 (1.07-65.64); P = 0.043] and SOFA score [OR 1.63 (1.18-2.26); P = 0.003] were independent risk factors in predicting MAKE30. Further analysis showed that patients with hyperchloremia had more requirements of RRT (57% vs. 10%, P < 0.001), more PRD (14% vs. 4%, P = 0.034).

CONCLUSION

MAKE30 is a common event in AP patients. Hyperchloremia and SOFA score at admission were two independent risk factors for MAKE30.

Predictive nomogram model for major adverse kidney events within 30 days in sepsis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

In sepsis patients, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) was associated with an increased risk of kidney injury. Furthermore, kidney damage is among the dangerous complications, with a high mortality rate in sepsis patients. However, the underlying predictive model on the prediction of major adverse kidney events within 30 days (MAKE30) in sepsis patients with T2DM has not been reported by any study.

METHODS

A total of 406 sepsis patients with T2DM were retrospectively enrolled and divided into a non-MAKE30 group (261 cases) and a MAKE30 group (145 cases). In sepsis patients with T2DM, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of MAKE30. Based on the findings of multivariate logistic regression analysis, the corresponding nomogram was constructed. The nomogram was evaluated using the calibration curve, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis. A composite of death, new Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT), or Persistent Renal Dysfunction (PRD) comprised MAKE30. Finally, subgroup analyses of the nomogram for 30-day mortality, new RRT, and PRD were performed.

RESULTS

In sepsis patients with T2DM, Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), Platelet (PLT), cystatin C, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), and apolipoprotein E (apoE) were independent predictors for MAKE30. According to the ROC curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis, the nomogram model based on those predictors had satisfactory discrimination (AUC = 0.916), good calibration, and clinical application. Additionally, in sepsis patients with T2DM, the nomogram model exhibited a high ability to predict the occurrence of 30-day mortality (AUC = 0.822), new RRT (AUC = 0.874), and PRD (AUC = 0.801).

CONCLUSION

The nomogram model, which is available within 24 hours after admission, had a robust and accurate assessment for the MAKE30 occurrence, and it provided information to better manage sepsis patients with T2DM.

The Impact of Normal Saline or Balanced Crystalloid on Plasma Chloride Concentration and Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Predicted Severe Acute Pancreatitis: Protocol of a Phase II, Multicenter, Stepped-Wedge, Cluster-Randomized, Controlled Trial

Introduction/aim: The supraphysiologic chloride concentration of normal saline may contribute to acute kidney injury (AKI). Balanced crystalloids can decrease chloride concentration and AKI in critically ill patients. We aim to test the hypothesis that, in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis (pSAP), compared with saline, fluid therapy with balanced crystalloids will decrease plasma chloride concentration. Methods/Design: This is a multicenter, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized, controlled trial. All eligible patients presenting to the 11 participating sites across China during the study period will be recruited. All sites will use saline for the first month and sequentially change to balanced crystalloids at the pre-determined and randomly allocated time point. The primary endpoint is the plasma chloride concentration on day 3 of enrollment. Secondary endpoints will include major adverse kidney events on hospital discharge or day 30 (MAKE 30) and free and alive days to day 30 for intensive care admission, invasive ventilation, vasopressors, and renal replacement therapy. Additional endpoints include daily serum chloride and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score over the first seven days of enrollment. Discussion: This study will provide data to define the impact of normal saline vs. balanced crystalloids on plasma chloride concentration and clinical outcomes in pSAP patients. It will also provide the necessary data to power future large-scale randomized trials relating to fluid therapy. Ethics and Dissemination: This study was approved by the ethics committee of Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University (2020NZKY-015-01) and all the participating sites. The results of this trial will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences. Trial registration: The trial has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2100044432).

Resuscitation Fluids in Septic Shock: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of various resuscitation fluids in septic shock by adopting a network meta-analysis (NMA). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing resuscitation fluids in septic shock were carried out by retrieving electronic databases. NMAs of 28-day mortality, 90-day mortality, incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) were conducted using the STATA 15.0 software. Probability-based ranking and surface under cumulative ranking (SUCRA) were performed to identify the optimal resuscitation fluid. Inconsistencies were evaluated by node-splitting analysis and a loop-specific approach. Furthermore, publication bias was analyzed by funnel plots. A total of 13 RCTs were enrolled in the analysis. The NMA results revealed that no significant differences were detected in the outcomes of 28-day mortality and 90-day mortality among various resuscitation fluids. The SUCRAs (the first indicates the best) of 28-day mortality showed that the hypertonic sodium chloride/hydroxyethyl starch 40 solution ranked the highest (93.8%), followed by the balanced solution (BS) (69.6%), and albumin (61.9%). On the other hand, the SUCRAs of 90-day mortality revealed that gelatin (GEL) ranked the highest (75.1%), followed by BS (55.1%), and NS (52.4%). The NMA results of AKI demonstrated that high-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starch (H-HES) was associated with increased risk of AKI in comparison with GEL, BS, and L-HES. The SUCRAs of AKI showed that GEL ranked the highest (74.4%), followed by NS (64.9%), and BS (58.3%). In addition, the NMA results of RRT revealed that H-HES was associated with an increased need for RRT in comparison with BS and NS, and L-HES was associated with increased need of RRT in comparison with BS. The SUCRAs of RRT revealed that NS ranked the highest (91.6%), followed by BS (74.4%) and L-HES (36.1%). No significant inconsistencies were shown by the node-splitting analysis and no publication bias was demonstrated in the funnel plots. In conclusion, BS was determined as the preferred resuscitation fluid for septic shock. Moreover, the use of GEL requires further evaluation. H-HES was associated with a significant risk of AKI and RRT, whereas L-HES with an increased need for RRT compared with BS. Thus, both resuscitation fluids should be avoided for septic shock.

Clinical Effects of Balanced Crystalloids vs Saline in Adults With Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Subgroup Analysis of Cluster Randomized Clinical Trials

IMPORTANCE

Saline (0.9% sodium chloride), the fluid most commonly used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), can cause hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Balanced crystalloids, an alternative class of fluids for volume expansion, do not cause acidosis and, therefore, may lead to faster resolution of DKA than saline.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical effects of balanced crystalloids with the clinical effects of saline for the acute treatment of adults with DKA.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This study was a subgroup analysis of adults with DKA in 2 previously reported companion trials-Saline Against Lactated Ringer's or Plasma-Lyte in the Emergency Department (SALT-ED) and the Isotonic Solutions and Major Adverse Renal Events Trial (SMART). These trials, conducted between January 2016 and March 2017 in an academic medical center in the US, were pragmatic, multiple-crossover, cluster, randomized clinical trials comparing balanced crystalloids vs saline in emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This study included adults who presented to the ED with DKA, defined as a clinical diagnosis of DKA, plasma glucose greater than 250 mg/dL, plasma bicarbonate less than or equal to 18 mmol/L, and anion gap greater than 10 mmol/L. Data analysis was performed from January to April 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

Balanced crystalloids (clinician's choice of Ringer lactate solution or Plasma-Lyte A solution) vs saline for fluid administration in the ED and ICU according to the same cluster-randomized multiple-crossover schedule.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was time between ED presentation and DKA resolution, as defined by American Diabetes Association criteria. The secondary outcome was time between initiation and discontinuation of continuous insulin infusion.

RESULTS

Among 172 adults included in this secondary analysis of cluster trials, 94 were assigned to balanced crystalloids and 78 to saline. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 29 (24-45) years, and 90 (52.3%) were women. The median (IQR) volume of isotonic fluid administered in the ED and ICU was 4478 (3000-6372) mL. Cumulative incidence analysis revealed shorter time to DKA resolution in the balanced crystalloids group (median time to resolution: 13.0 hours; IQR: 9.5-18.8 hours) than the saline group (median: 16.9 hours; IQR: 11.9-34.5 hours) (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.18-2.38; P = .004). Cumulative incidence analysis also revealed shorter time to insulin infusion discontinuation in the balanced crystalloids group (median: 9.8 hours; IQR: 5.1-17.0 hours) than the saline group (median: 13.4 hours; IQR: 11.0-17.9 hours) (aHR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.03-2.03; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this secondary analysis of 2 cluster randomized clinical trials, compared with saline, treatment with balanced crystalloids resulted in more rapid resolution of DKA, suggesting that balanced crystalloids may be preferred over saline for acute management of adults with DKA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT02614040; NCT02444988.

0.9% saline V/S Ringer’s lactate for fluid resuscitation in adult sepsis patients in emergency medical services: An open-label randomized controlled trial

Background:

0.9% saline commonly used for resuscitation of septic patients might induce biochemical changes leading to detrimental effects. Ringer’s lactate being a balanced crystalloid might be beneficial in such a scenario.

Objectives:

We undertook this study to explore in detail the effect of these fluids in the resuscitation of septic patients, and risks and benefits these two fluids would have on the overall prognosis of patients.

Methods:

This was an open-label randomized controlled trial undertaken in emergency medical services attached to the department of medicine at a tertiary care teaching hospital. One hundred sixty adult (⩾18 years old) medical patients admitted with the diagnosis of sepsis fulfilling eligibility criteria were included. They were randomly assigned to receive 0.9% saline or ringer’s lactate. These fluids were given for the initial 24 h only, and after then, the type of fluid given was based on treating physician discretion. Various biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and various time points during the hospital stay. The primary outcome was to find out the incidence of hyperchloremia at 24 h from the time of randomization and during the hospital stay. The secondary outcomes were incidence of acute kidney injury, need for renal replacement therapy; differences in pH, bicarbonate, serum lactate, coagulation parameters, sequential organ failure assessment scores at various time points; and hospital/30-day mortality.

Results:

The baseline characteristics in both groups were comparable. At admission, each group had a serum chloride value which was comparable ( p value: 0.595); however, at 24 and 48 h, a statistically significant difference was noticed, with 0.9% saline group having a higher mean serum chloride value (113.66 ± 10.04 v/s 108.98 ± 8.04 mEq/L, p value: 0.001 at 24 h) and (114.75 ± 9.51 v/s 111.12 ± 7.84 mEq/L, p value: 0.022 at 48 h). At 24 and 48 h post-randomization, the incidence of hyperchloremia was significantly higher in the 0.9% saline group (at 24 h, 0.9% saline: 75.0% v/s Ringer’s lactate: 48.8%, p value: 0.001 and at 48 h, 0.9% saline: 77.2% v/s Ringer’s lactate: 60.3%, p value: 0.022), although there was no difference in the incidence of hyperchloremia recorded during the hospital stay. Acute kidney injury incidence at 24 and 48 h post-randomization was significantly higher in the 0.9% saline group (at 24 h, 0.9% saline: 23.8% v/s Ringer’s lactate: 10.0%, p value: 0.020 and at 48 h, 0.9% saline: 29.1% v/s Ringer’s lactate: 15.4%, p value: 0.039). No significant differences in other secondary outcomes were observed.

Conclusion:

Higher incidence of hyperchloremia and a higher rate of acute kidney injury at 24 and 48 h after randomization were noted in the 0.9% saline group.

Pharmacist intervention to enhance postoperative fluid prescribing practice in an Iraqi hospital through implementation of NICE guideline

Objective:

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the current practice of postoperative fluid prescribing and assess the effectiveness of pharmacist-led intervention in the implementation of the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) fluid therapy guideline in an Iraqi hospital.

Methods:

The prospective interventional study was conducted at AL-Hilla Teaching Hospital, Babylon, Iraq between November 2017 and July 2018. The study included two phases: The pre-intervention phase with 84 patients and the post-intervention phase with 112 patients. A pharmacist provided training and educational sessions for the hospital physicians and pharmacists about the NICE guideline of fluid therapy. The researcher calculated the amount of given post-operative fluids and compared to the NICE guideline and also measured the patients’ body weight, serum Na, K and creatinine pre-and post-operatively.

Results:

The pre-intervention phase showed no correlation between the amounts of prescribed fluids and body weight which caused increases in patients’ body weight. In pre-intervention phase, 6% of patients experienced hyponatremia, 19% had hypernatremia and 7.1% had hypokalemia. In the post-intervention phase, abnormal level of electrolytes and patient weight gain decreased significantly. Additionally, the intervention led to a strong correlation between body weight and amount of prescribed fluids in addition to lowering the incidence of electrolyte disturbances.

Conclusions:

A high proportion of patients in the pre-intervention phase experienced fluid overload, weight gain and electrolyte disturbances when fluid therapy was not prescribed in accordance with the NICE guidelines. The pharmacist-led intervention increased the surgeon awareness of the proper use of the NICE guideline which decreased the incidence of fluid-related complications and the inconsistency of fluid prescribing. Pharmacists can play a critical role to enhance post-operative fluid prescribing and minimize fluid-induced complications.

Rotational thromboelastometry assessment of ballanced crystalloid, hydroxyethyl starch and gelatin effects on coagulation: a randomized trial

Background and objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Impact of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department on Care Processes and Outcomes in Critically Ill Nontraumatic Patients

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Outcomes data on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in critically ill patients are lacking. This study examines the association between POCUS in the emergency department and outcomes in critically ill patients.

Is Albumin-based Resuscitation in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Justifiable? An Evidence from a Cost-effectiveness Evaluation

Background

Fluid and antimicrobial therapy are the essential parts of sepsis management. The type of fluid to resuscitate with is an unsettled issue in the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of albumin-based resuscitation over crystalloids.

Methods

A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted by extracting data from a database of Sina Hospital, Islamic Republic of Iran. A decision tree was constructed by using Tree Age Pro 2011. The patients were grouped based on the types of fluids used for resuscitation into crystalloid alone or crystalloid + albumin groups at the initial decision node. The patients were followed from the onset of severe sepsis and septic shock upto 28 days. The healthcare payers' perspective was considered in constructing the model. The cost was measured in US dollars and the effectiveness was measured by life years gained.

Results

The addition of albumin during resuscitation of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock has an effectiveness gain of 0.09 life years and cost increment of 495.00 USD. The estimated ICER for this analysis was 5500.00 USD per life year gained. The probability that albumin is cost-effective at one GDP per capita is 49.5%.

Conclusion

Albumin-based resuscitation is not cost-effective in Iran when a GDP per capita was considered for a life year gain. The cost-effectiveness was insensitive to the cost of standard care. We recomend the caustious use albumin as per the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guideline.

Balanced Crystalloids versus Saline in Critically Ill Adults

BACKGROUND:

Both balanced crystalloids and saline are used for intravenous fluid administration among critically ill adults. Which results in better clinical outcomes remains unknown.

METHODS:

In a pragmatic, cluster-randomized, multiple-crossover trial in five intensive care units at an academic center, we assigned 15,802 adults to receive saline (0.9% sodium chloride) or balanced crystalloids (lactated Ringer’s solution or Plasma-Lyte A®), according to the randomization of the unit to which they were admitted. The primary outcome was Major Adverse Kidney Events within 30 days (MAKE30), i.e., the composite of death, new renal replacement therapy, or persistent creatinine elevation ≥ 200% of baseline – all censored at the first of hospital discharge or 30 days.

RESULTS:

In the balanced crystalloid group, 1,139 patients (14.3%) experienced MAKE30, compared to 1,211 patients (15.4%) in the saline group (marginal odds ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.84–0.99; conditional odds ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–0.99; P=0.04). Thirty-day in-hospital mortality was 10.3% in the balanced crystalloid group and 11.1% in the saline group (P=0.06). The incidence of new renal replacement therapy was 2.5% and 2.9% respectively (P=0.08), and the incidence of persistent creatinine elevation was 6.4% and 6.6% respectively (P=0.60).

CONCLUSIONS:

Among critically ill adults, the use of balanced crystalloids for intravenous fluid administration appeared to reduce the composite outcome of in-hospital mortality, new renal replacement therapy, and persistent renal dysfunction compared with the use of saline. (SMART-MED and SMART-SURG ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT02444988 and NCT02547779.)

Balanced Crystalloids versus Saline in Noncritically Ill Adults

BACKGROUND

Comparative clinical effects of balanced crystalloids and saline are uncertain, particularly in noncritically ill patients cared for outside an intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

We conducted a single-center, pragmatic, multiple-crossover trial comparing balanced crystalloids (lactated Ringer's solution or Plasma-Lyte A) with saline among adults who were treated with intravenous crystalloids in the emergency department and were subsequently hospitalized outside an ICU. The type of crystalloid that was administered in the emergency department was assigned to each patient on the basis of calendar month, with the entire emergency department crossing over between balanced crystalloids and saline monthly during the 16-month trial. The primary outcome was hospital-free days (days alive after discharge before day 28). Secondary outcomes included major adverse kidney events within 30 days - a composite of death from any cause, new renal-replacement therapy, or persistent renal dysfunction (defined as an elevation of the creatinine level to ≥200% of baseline) - all censored at hospital discharge or 30 days, whichever occurred first.

RESULTS

A total of 13,347 patients were enrolled, with a median crystalloid volume administered in the emergency department of 1079 ml and 88.3% of the patients exclusively receiving the assigned crystalloid. The number of hospital-free days did not differ between the balanced-crystalloids and saline groups (median, 25 days in each group; adjusted odds ratio with balanced crystalloids, 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92 to 1.04; P=0.41). Balanced crystalloids resulted in a lower incidence of major adverse kidney events within 30 days than saline (4.7% vs. 5.6%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.95; P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Among noncritically ill adults treated with intravenous fluids in the emergency department, there was no difference in hospital-free days between treatment with balanced crystalloids and treatment with saline. (Funded by the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research and others; SALT-ED ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02614040 .).

Balanced Crystalloids versus Saline in Critically Ill Adults

BACKGROUND

Both balanced crystalloids and saline are used for intravenous fluid administration in critically ill adults, but it is not known which results in better clinical outcomes.

METHODS

In a pragmatic, cluster-randomized, multiple-crossover trial conducted in five intensive care units at an academic center, we assigned 15,802 adults to receive saline (0.9% sodium chloride) or balanced crystalloids (lactated Ringer's solution or Plasma-Lyte A) according to the randomization of the unit to which they were admitted. The primary outcome was a major adverse kidney event within 30 days - a composite of death from any cause, new renal-replacement therapy, or persistent renal dysfunction (defined as an elevation of the creatinine level to ≥200% of baseline) - all censored at hospital discharge or 30 days, whichever occurred first.

RESULTS

Among the 7942 patients in the balanced-crystalloids group, 1139 (14.3%) had a major adverse kidney event, as compared with 1211 of 7860 patients (15.4%) in the saline group (marginal odds ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 0.99; conditional odds ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.99; P=0.04). In-hospital mortality at 30 days was 10.3% in the balanced-crystalloids group and 11.1% in the saline group (P=0.06). The incidence of new renal-replacement therapy was 2.5% and 2.9%, respectively (P=0.08), and the incidence of persistent renal dysfunction was 6.4% and 6.6%, respectively (P=0.60).

CONCLUSIONS

Among critically ill adults, the use of balanced crystalloids for intravenous fluid administration resulted in a lower rate of the composite outcome of death from any cause, new renal-replacement therapy, or persistent renal dysfunction than the use of saline. (Funded by the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research and others; SMART-MED and SMART-SURG ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT02444988 and NCT02547779 .).

0.9% NaCl (Normal Saline) - Perhaps not so normal after all?

Crystalloid infusion is widely employed in patient care for volume replacement and resuscitation. In the United States the crystalloid of choice is often normal saline. Surgeons and anesthesiologists have long preferred buffered solutions such as Ringer's Lactate and Plasma-Lyte A. Normal saline is the solution most widely employed in medical and pediatric care, as well as in hematology and transfusion medicine. However, there is growing concern that normal saline is more toxic than balanced, buffered crystalloids such as Plasma-Lyte and Lactated Ringer's. Normal saline is the only solution recommended for red cell washing, administration and salvage in the USA, but Plasma-Lyte A is also FDA approved for these purposes. Lactated Ringer's has been traditionally avoided in these applications due to concerns over clotting, but existing research suggests this is not likely a problem. In animal models and clinical studies in various settings, normal saline can cause metabolic acidosis, vascular and renal function changes, as well as abdominal pain in comparison with balanced crystalloids. The one extant randomized trial suggests that in very small volumes (2 l or less) normal saline is not more toxic than other crystalloids. Recent evidence suggests that normal saline causes substantially more in vitro hemolysis than Plasma-Lyte A and similar solutions during short term storage (24 hours) after washing or intraoperative salvage. There are now abundant data to raise concerns as to whether normal saline is the safest replacement solution in infusion therapy, red cell washing and salvage, apheresis and similar uses. In the USA, Plasma-Lyte A is also FDA approved for use with blood components and is likely a safer solution for these purposes. Its only disadvantage is a higher cost. Additional studies of the safety of normal saline for virtually all current clinical uses are needed. It seems likely that normal saline will eventually be abandoned in favor of safer, more physiologic crystalloid solutions in the coming years.