The administration of intravenous fluids is ubiquitous in the care of the critically ill.
Commonly available isotonic crystalloid solutions contain a broad spectrum electrolyte
compositions including a range chloride concentrations. Recent prospective, randomized trials
have shown improved patient outcomes with the use of balanced crystalloids compared to
saline. There have not been large randomized studies comparing acetate buffered balanced
crystalloids to non-acetate buffered balanced crystalloids in the critically ill. BASE will
be a pilot study for a large, cluster-randomized, multiple-crossover trial enrolling
critically ill patients from the Medical ICU at Vanderbilt University from June 2018 until
January 2019. The primary endpoint will be plasma bicarbonate concentration between Intensive
Care Unit admission and hospital discharge.