Liberal Versus Restrictive Fluid Protocols in Adults
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2019-06-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The term acute kidney injury (AKI) is used to describe a rapid deterioration (hours to days)
of renal function. This rapid deterioration leads to accumulation of plasma waste products,
such as urea and creatinine.
Accumulation of urea and other nitrogen-containing substances in the blood stream lead to a
number of symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, nausea and vomiting. Marked
increases in the potassium level can lead to irregularities in the heartbeat, which can be
severe and life-threatening. Fluid balance is frequently affected, though blood pressure can
be high, low or normal. Pain in the flanks may be encountered in some conditions (such as
thrombosis of the renal blood vessels or inflammation of the kidney); this is the result of
stretching of the fibrous tissue capsule surrounding the kidney.
Perioperative AKI is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality; It is associated with
increased risk of sepsis, anemia, coagulopathy, and mechanical ventilation.
The first publication of consensus criteria for AKI was published in 2004. The system was
named RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss of kidney function and end-stage renal failure) and
used sCr or urine output to define AKI.
Later, in 2007, a modified definition of the RIFLE criteria was published by the Acute Kidney
Injury Network (AKIN) .Although the AKIN criteria evolved from the RIFLE criteria, a major
advance was the understanding that even small changes in sCr concentrations are associated
with increased morbidity and mortality. The AKIN criteria allowed definition of AKI even
without knowledge of baseline sCr.
In 2012, a clinical practice guideline of AKI was proposed by the Kidney Disease Improving
Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Foundation. The guideline included a comprehensive review of AKI
definition, risk assessment, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and renal replacement therapy.
A common practice to maintain effective blood volume and thus kidney perfusion is intravenous
(I.V.) hydration. Correcting hypovolemia is an essential perioperative hemodynamic goal and
appropriate hydration is considered important for the avoidance of AKI.
Perioperative fluid therapy has been studied extensively, but the optimal strategy remains
controversial and uncertain. Much of the current debate surrounds the type of fluids
administered (colloid versus crystalloid), the total volume administered (restrictive versus
liberal), and whether the administration of fluids should be guided by hemodynamic goals
(goal directed [GD] versus not goal directed).
Administering a large amount of I.V. fluid in the perioperative period is a common clinical
practice. Although fluid loading may expand intravascular space, improve organ perfusion or
tissue oxygenation and reduce minor postoperative complications in laparoscopic surgery,
excessive fluid may also increase some perioperative complications.
Intraoperative urine output is often monitored but rarely responds to fluid administration.
Clearance of fluid during general anesthesia is only a small fraction of that observed in
conscious volunteers. Infusion of crystalloids during anesthesia shows reduced clearance and
slower distribution such that intraoperative oliguria may not reflect fluid status or predict
future AKI.
Given that liberal fluid administration can be correlated with worse postoperative outcome,
the recommendation to maintain urine output of at least 0.5 ml/kg/h should be considered.