End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is a significant, expensive health problem. Kidney
transplantation improves survival, quality of life, and is much cheaper than dialysis
treatment for ESKD. However sometimes kidney transplants from a deceased donor function
poorly after surgery, and a period of continued dialysis is needed, a condition known as
delayed graft function (DGF). In addition to complicating recovery, DGF can adversely affect
long-term kidney function and the health of the recipient.
Intravenous fluids given during and after transplantation (usually 0.9% sodium chloride or
saline) are critical to preserve kidney transplant function, but there is evidence that 0.9%
saline may not be the safest fluid to use due to its high chloride content.
BEST Fluids is a randomised controlled trial that aims to find out whether using a balanced
low-chloride solution - Plasma-Lyte 148® - as an alternative to normal saline in deceased
donor kidney transplantation, will improve kidney transplant function, reduce the impact of
DGF, and improve long-term outcomes for patients.
Phase:
Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
The University of Queensland
Collaborators:
Australian Government Department of Health Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing Baxter Healthcare Corporation Health Research Council, New Zealand