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Plasma-Lyte 148® versUs Saline Study

Comparison of Plasmalyte 148® and Saline for Fluid Resuscitation and Intravenous Fluid Therapy in Critically Ill Adults

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02721654
Acronym
PLUS
Enrollment
5037
Registered
2016-03-29
Start date
2017-09-01
Completion date
2021-06-30
Last updated
2023-08-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hypovolemia

Keywords

Plasma-Lyte, Sodium chloride, Saline, Fluid resuscitation, Intravenous fluid therapy, Critically ill, Critical care

Brief summary

The aim of PLUS is to conduct a multi-centre, blinded, randomised, controlled trial (RCT) to determine whether fluid resuscitation and therapy with a balanced crystalloid solution (Plasma-Lyte 148®) decreases 90-day mortality in critically ill patients requiring fluid resuscitation when compared with the same treatment using 0.9% sodium chloride (saline)

Detailed description

Fluid resuscitation is a fundamental component of the management of acutely and critically ill patients and the choice of fluid is a longstanding issue of debate. Worldwide, 0.9% saline has traditionally been the most widely used resuscitation fluid, however its use is increasingly challenged by emerging evidence that suggests its high chloride content may have clinically important adverse effects and that resuscitation with so-called balanced or buffered crystalloids (such as Plasma-Lyte 148®) offer patients better outcomes. Given the limitations of current evidence, there is now a scientific, ethical and health economic imperative to provide an accurate and reliable estimate of the comparative risks versus benefit of Plasma-Lyte 148® versus 0.9% saline. The PLUS study is a prospective, multi-centre, parallel group, concealed, blinded, randomised, controlled trial. The study will test the hypothesis that in a heterogeneous population of critically ill adults, random assignment to Plasma-Lyte 148® for intravascular volume resuscitation and crystalloid fluid therapy in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) results in different 90-day all-cause mortality when compared with random assignment to 0.9% sodium chloride (saline) for the same treatment. Each patient who meets all inclusion criteria and no exclusion criteria will be randomised to receive either Plasma-Lyte 148® or 0.9% saline for all resuscitation episodes and for all compatible crystalloid therapy while in ICU for up to 90 days after randomisation. Other crystalloid fluids may be used as carrier fluids for the infusion of any drug for which either Plasma-Lyte 148® or 0.9% saline is considered incompatible.The study treatments will be supplied in identical 1000 ml bags and treatment assignment will be concealed. The volume of study fluid being administered will be titrated against clinical endpoints determined by the treating clinicians and reviewed as clinically appropriate during the period of resuscitation and ICU treatment.

Interventions

DRUGPlasma-Lyte 148®

Plasma-Lyte 148 (approx pH 7.4) IV infusion is a sterile, clear nonpyrogenic isotonic solution & when administered intravenously it is a source of water, electrolytes & calories. Plasma-Lyte 148 intravenous infusion is indicated as a source of water & electrolytes or as an alkalinising agent.

DRUG0.9% sodium chloride

The active ingredient is sodium chloride formulated in Water for Injections. The chemical name is sodium chloride with molecular formula NaCl. Sodium Chloride (0.9%) intravenous infusion preparation is a sterile & non-pyrogenic solution & is indicated for extracellular fluid replacement & in the management of metabolic alkalosis in the presence of fluid loss, & for restoring or maintaining the concentration of sodium & chloride ions. As sodium chloride intravenous infusion is administered to the systemic circulation by intravenous infusion, the bioavailability (absorption) of the active components is complete (100 per cent).

Sponsors

Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group
CollaboratorNETWORK
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
The George Institute
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* The patient will receive fluid resuscitation defined as a bolus of fluid, prescribed to be administered over one hour or less to increase or maintain intravascular volume that is in addition to maintenance fluids, or specific fluids used to replace non-physiological fluid losses * The patient is expected to be in the ICU the day after tomorrow * The patient is not expected to be well enough to be eating tomorrow * An arterial or central venous catheter is in situ, or placement is imminent as part of routine management * Both Plasma-Lyte 148® and 0.9% saline are considered equally appropriate for the patient * The requirement for fluid resuscitation is supported by at least one of seven pre-specified clinical signs: heart rate \> 90 beats per minute; systolic blood pressure \< 100 mmHg or mean arterial pressure \< 75 mmHg; central venous pressure \< 10 mmHg; pulmonary artery wedge pressure \< 12 mmHg; capillary refill time \> 1 second; OR urine output \< 0.5 ml/kg for at least one hour

Exclusion criteria

* Age less than 18 years * Patients who have received more than 500mls of fluid resuscitation (as defined above) prescribed in the ICU during this current ICU admission * Patients transferred directly from another ICU who have received more than 500mls of fluid resuscitation (as defined above) during that ICU admission * Contraindication to either study fluid e.g. previous allergic reaction to Plasma-Lyte 148® * Patients admitted to the ICU with specific fluid requirements: the treatment of burns; following liver transplantation surgery; for correction of specific electrolyte abnormalities * Patients with traumatic brain injury or those considered at risk of developing cerebral oedema * Patients in whom death is deemed imminent and inevitable * Patients with an underlying disease process with a life expectancy of \<90 days * Patients in whom it is unlikely the primary outcome can be ascertained * Patients who have previously been enrolled in PLUS * Known or suspected pregnancy

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Death from all causesAt 90 days after randomisation

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Mean and peak serum creatinine concentrationFirst seven days
ICU, hospital and 28 day all-cause mortality28 days and 6 months after randomisation
Duration of ICU stay28 days and 90 days after randomisation
Duration of Hospital stay28 days and 90 days after randomisation
Proportion of patients newly treated with renal replacement therapyup to 90 days after randomisation.
Proportion of patients treated with and duration of treatment with vasoactive drugs90 days after randomisation
Quality of life assessment using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaireAt 6 months after randomisation
Maximum post-randomisation increase in serum creatinine in ICU during the index hospital admission.90 days after randomisation
Healthcare services usage during the six months after randomisation by healthcare record linkage using state and national data linkage unitsDuring the six months after randomisation
Duration of mechanical ventilation in ICU90 days after randomisation

Countries

Australia, New Zealand

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 10, 2026