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Crystalloid Liberal or Vasopressors Early Resuscitation in Sepsis

Crystalloid Liberal or Vasopressors Early Resuscitation in Sepsis

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03434028
Acronym
CLOVERS
Enrollment
1563
Registered
2018-02-15
Start date
2018-03-07
Completion date
2022-08-24
Last updated
2023-07-06

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

Conditions

Septic Shock

Keywords

Fluid management, Sepsis-induced hypotension, vasopressors

Brief summary

Multicenter, prospective, phase 3 randomized non-blinded interventional trial of fluid treatment strategies in the first 24 hours for patients with sepsis-induced hypotension. The aim of the study is to determine the impact of a restrictive fluids strategy (vasopressors first followed by rescue fluids) as compared to a liberal fluid strategy (fluids first followed by rescue vasopressors) on 90-day in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis-induced hypotension.

Detailed description

Primary Hypothesis: Restrictive (vs liberal) fluid treatment strategy during the first 24 hours of resuscitation for sepsis-induced hypotension will reduce 90-day in-hospital mortality. 1. We will emphasize early screening and protocol initiation, and enroll a maximum of 2320 patients with suspected sepsis-induced hypotension. * All patients will receive at least 1 liter of fluids prior to meeting study inclusion criteria (and no more than 3 liters prior to randomization). * Patients will be enrolled within 4 hours of meeting study inclusion criteria * Any type of isotonic crystalloid (normal saline, ringers lactate, or a balanced solution such as plasmalyte) is permitted. 2. Restrictive Fluids (Early Vasopressors) Group * Norepinephrine will be used as preferred vasopressor and titrated to achieve mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 65 mmHg and 75 mmHg * Rescue fluids may be administered as 500ml boluses if predefined rescue criteria are met 3. Liberal Fluids (Fluids First) * 2 liter infusion upon enrollment (may forego second liter if MAP/SBP and heart rate are normalized and clinical assessment if patient is fluid replete after the first liter). * Administer 500ml fluid boluses for fluid triggers until 5 liters administered or development of clinical signs of acute volume overload develop * Rescue vasopressors may be administered after 5 liters of fluid, for development of acute volume overload, or if other predefined rescue criteria are met

Interventions

DRUGEarly Vasopressors

Norepinephrine will be used as preferred vasopressor and titrated to achieve mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 65 mmHg and 75 mmHg. Rescue fluids may be administered as 500ml boluses if predefined rescue criteria are met.

OTHEREarly Fluids

Additional 2 liter intravenous fluid infusion upon enrollment (may forego second liter if MAP/SBP and heart rate are normalized and clinical assessment if patient is fluid replete after the first liter). Administer 500ml fluid boluses for fluid triggers until 5 liters administered or development of clinical signs of acute volume overload develop. Rescue vasopressors may be administered after 5 liters of fluid, for development of acute volume overload, or if other predefined rescue criteria are met. Any type of isotonic crystalloid (normal saline, ringers lactate, balanced solution such as plasmalyte) is permitted.

Sponsors

Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Age ≥ 18 years * A suspected or confirmed infection (broadly defined by administration or planned administration of antibiotics) * Sepsis-induced hypotension defined as systolic blood pressure \< 100 mmHg or MAP \< 65 mmHg after a minimum of at least 1 liter of fluid (\*Fluids inclusive of pre-hospital fluids; blood pressure must be below any known or reported pre-morbid baseline).

Exclusion criteria

* More than 4 hours elapsed since meeting inclusion criteria or 24 hours elapsed since admission to the hospital * Patient already received 3 liters of intravenous fluid (includes prehospital volumes) * Unable to obtain informed consent * Known pregnancy * Hypotension suspected to be due to non-sepsis cause (e.g. hemorrhagic shock) * Blood pressure is at known or reported baseline level * Severe Volume Depletion from an acute condition other than sepsis. In the judgment of the treating physician, the patient has an acute condition other than sepsis causing (or indicative) of \*severe volume depletion; Examples include: Diabetic ketoacidosis, high volume vomiting or diarrhea, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, and nonexertional hyperthermia (heat stroke); severe is defined by the need for substantial intravenous fluid administration as part of routine clinical care * Pulmonary edema or clinical signs of new fluid overload (e.g. bilateral crackles, new oxygen requirement, new peripheral edema, fluid overload on chest x-ray) * Treating physician unwilling to give additional fluids as directed by the liberal protocol * Treating physician unwilling to use vasopressors as directed by the restrictive protocol. * Current or imminent decision to withhold most/all life-sustaining treatment; this does not exclude those patients committed to full support except cardiopulmonary resuscitation * Immediate surgical intervention planned such that study procedures could not be followed * Prior enrollment in this study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Death Before Discharge Home by Day 90From randomization to discharge home up to and including day 90.The primary outcome was death from any cause before discharge home by day 90. Point estimates were from Kaplan-Meier curves. There were 109 deaths and 5 patients with censored data the restrictive fluid group and 116 deaths and 4 patients with censored data in the liberal group. We defined home as the same setting or a setting similar to the one where the patient resided before becoming ill. Thus, if a patient originated from a private residence and was discharged from the hospital to a rehabilitation setting, we assessed for vital status until return to the private residence.Vital status was determined using any of the following methods: medical record review, phone calls to patient, proxy or healthcare facility, review of obituaries, or information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Death Index (NDI).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Ventilator Free Days (VFD)28 days after randomizationVentilator-free days is defined to be 28 days minus the duration of mechanical ventilation through day 28. Participants who do not survive to day 28 are assigned zero ventilator-free days.
Renal Replacement Free Days28 days after randomizationThe number of calendar days between randomization and 28 days later that the patient is alive and without renal replacement therapy. Patients who died prior to day 28 are assigned zero renal replacement free days.
Vasopressor Free DaysFrom study day 2 through day 28The number of calendar days between day 2 (eligibility starting 48 hours post randomization) and 26 days later that the patient is alive and without the use of vasopressor therapy. Patients who died prior to day 28 are assigned zero vasopressor free days.
ICU Free Days28 days after randomizationDefined as the number of days spent alive out of the ICU to day 28.
Hospital Free Days to Discharge Home28 days after randomizationDays alive post hospital discharge through day 28. Patients who die on or prior to day 28 are assigned zero hospital free days.
New Intubation With Invasive Mechanical Ventilation by 28 Days28 days after randomizationPatients who receive invasive mechanical ventilation via endotracheal or tracheostomy tube, except those intubated solely for a procedure and extubated within 24 hours, through to study day 28 meet this endpoint. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation will not be included as an outcome. This is a binary outcome.
Organ Support Free Days28 days after randomizationDefined as a patient being alive and without assisted breathing, new renal replacement therapy, or vasopressors (excluding vasopressor use prior to 48 hours). Any day that a patient is alive and without organ support will represent days alive and free of organ support.
Kidney Disease: Change in Creatinine-based Global Outcomes (KIDGO) Score Between Baseline and 72 Hours72 hours after randomizationAssessment of renal function using the KDIGO staging system (using serum creatinine criteria only) between baseline and 72 hours post randomization to assess for de novo acute kidney injury (AKI) (e.g., meeting criteria for AKI by KDIGO criteria) or worsening AKI (e.g., increasing severity). Patients on chronic renal replacement therapy were not eligible for this endpoint determination. Scoring of 1-3 (using serum creatinine levels; a higher score indicates worsening kidney function): 1. creatinine level 1.5-1.9 times baseline OR \>/= 0.3 mg/dl (\>/= 25.5 umol/l) increase 2. creatinine level 2.0-2.9 times baseline 3. creatinine level 3.0 times baseline OR increase in serum creatinine to \>/=4.0mg/dl (\>/= 353 umol/l) OR initiation of renal replacement therapy
Change in SOFA (Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment) Score72 hours after randomizationSOFA score was calculated at enrollment and at 72 hours using clinically available data.Total score: 0-4 points; 4 = worst outcome. Values not available at baseline were assumed normal. 72 hours assessment: Closest previously known value was carried forward for missing values. SOFA Scoring Breakout (lower scores mean a better outcome; clinically significant organ failure for CLOVERS was defined as a SOFA score 2 or more points higher than baseline): * Coagulation( Platelets, ×10³/µL): Score = 0: \>150; 1: \</= 150; 2: \</= 100; 3: \</= 50; 4: \</= 2 * Liver (Bilirubin, mg/dL): Score: 0: \<1.2; 1: 1.2-1.9; 2: 2.0-5.9; 3: 6.0-11.9; 4: \>11.9 * Cardiovascular(Hypotension): Score: 0: no hypotension; 1: Mean arterial pressure \<70 mmHg; 2: Dopamine\</=5 OR any dobutamine; 3: Dopanime \>5, epinephrine \</=0, or Norepi \</=0.1; 4: Dop \>15, epi \>0.1, or norepi \>0.1 * Renal (Creatinine, mg/dL or urine output, ml/d): Score: 0: \<1.2; 1: 1.2-1.9; 3: 2.0-3.4; 3: 3.5-4.9 or \<500; 4: \>4.9 or \<200
Development of ARDS7 days after randomizationPresence and severity of ARDS is determined using the PaO2/FiO2 ratio or SpO2/FiO2 ratio and confirmation of ARDS through chest x-ray reviews.
New Onset Atrial or Ventricular Arrhythmia28 days after randomizationThe occurrence of one or more episodes (sustained for more than 1 minute for SVT and AF, \> 15 seconds for VT) during through day 28 will be recorded.
Death From Any Cause at Any Location by Day 90From randomization to and including day 90Subjects were contacted at day 90 to ascertain their survival status via telephone contact with the patient or family members or by a review of medical records and publicly available data sources.
Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy28 days after randomizationPatients receiving (new) renal replacement therapy through day 28. Patients with chronic renal replacement therapy initiated prior to the current sepsis illness were not eligible to meet this endpoint.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Restrictive Fluids
The general approach will be to use vasopressors to treat hypotension as opposed to intravenous fluids. Maintenance fluids should not be used. Early Vasopressors: Norepinephrine will be used as preferred vasopressor and titrated to achieve mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 65 mmHg and 75 mmHg. Rescue fluids may be administered as 500ml boluses if predefined rescue criteria are met.
782
Liberal Fluids
The general approach is to use fluid boluses to treat hypotension. Early Fluids: Additional 2 liter intravenous fluid infusion upon enrollment (may forego second liter if MAP/SBP and heart rate are normalized and clinical assessment if patient is fluid replete after the first liter). Administer 500ml fluid boluses for fluid triggers until 5 liters administered or development of clinical signs of acute volume overload develop. Rescue vasopressors may be administered after 5 liters of fluid, for development of acute volume overload, or if other predefined rescue criteria are met. Any type of isotonic crystalloid (normal saline, ringers lactate, balanced solution such as plasmalyte) is permitted.
781
Total1,563

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalRestrictive FluidsLiberal Fluids
Age, Continuous59.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.9
59.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16
59.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.9
Coexisting Conditions
Chronic heart failure
No
1372 Participants678 Participants694 Participants
Coexisting Conditions
Chronic heart failure
No reported
13 Participants5 Participants8 Participants
Coexisting Conditions
Chronic heart failure
Yes
178 Participants99 Participants79 Participants
Coexisting Conditions
Diabetes
No
1104 Participants555 Participants549 Participants
Coexisting Conditions
Diabetes
No reported
13 Participants5 Participants8 Participants
Coexisting Conditions
Diabetes
Yes
446 Participants222 Participants224 Participants
Coexisting Conditions
end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis
No
1477 Participants744 Participants733 Participants
Coexisting Conditions
end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis
No reported
13 Participants5 Participants8 Participants
Coexisting Conditions
end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis
Yes
73 Participants33 Participants40 Participants
Hispanic or Latino ethnic group
no
1274 Participants628 Participants646 Participants
Hispanic or Latino ethnic group
not reported
63 Participants36 Participants27 Participants
Hispanic or Latino ethnic group
yes
226 Participants118 Participants108 Participants
Location at Randomization
Emergency Department
1437 Participants729 Participants708 Participants
Location at Randomization
ICU
106 Participants44 Participants62 Participants
Location at Randomization
Other
20 Participants9 Participants11 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
12 Participants8 Participants4 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
52 Participants26 Participants26 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
246 Participants134 Participants112 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
4 Participants3 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
2 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
145 Participants78 Participants67 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
1102 Participants532 Participants570 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
1563 participants782 participants781 participants
Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score3.4 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.7
3.4 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.8
3.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.7
Sex: Female, Male
Female
737 Participants371 Participants366 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
826 Participants411 Participants415 Participants
Systolic Blood Pressure93.5 mm Hg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.1
93.2 mm Hg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12
93.8 mm Hg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.2
Time from meeting eligibility to randomization61 minutes61 minutes60 minutes
Volume of fluid administered before randomization2050 mililiters2050 mililiters2050 mililiters

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
172 / 768169 / 773
other
Total, other adverse events
4 / 78214 / 781
serious
Total, serious adverse events
18 / 78219 / 781

Outcome results

Primary

Death Before Discharge Home by Day 90

The primary outcome was death from any cause before discharge home by day 90. Point estimates were from Kaplan-Meier curves. There were 109 deaths and 5 patients with censored data the restrictive fluid group and 116 deaths and 4 patients with censored data in the liberal group. We defined home as the same setting or a setting similar to the one where the patient resided before becoming ill. Thus, if a patient originated from a private residence and was discharged from the hospital to a rehabilitation setting, we assessed for vital status until return to the private residence.Vital status was determined using any of the following methods: medical record review, phone calls to patient, proxy or healthcare facility, review of obituaries, or information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Death Index (NDI).

Time frame: From randomization to discharge home up to and including day 90.

Population: There were 109 deaths and 5 patients with censored data the restrictive fluid group. There were 116 deaths and 4 patients with censored data in the liberal group. Point estimates from the Kaplan-Meier curve.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Restrictive FluidsDeath Before Discharge Home by Day 9014 percentage of participants
Liberal FluidsDeath Before Discharge Home by Day 9014.9 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.6195% CI: [-4.4, 2.6]Z-test
Secondary

Change in SOFA (Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment) Score

SOFA score was calculated at enrollment and at 72 hours using clinically available data.Total score: 0-4 points; 4 = worst outcome. Values not available at baseline were assumed normal. 72 hours assessment: Closest previously known value was carried forward for missing values. SOFA Scoring Breakout (lower scores mean a better outcome; clinically significant organ failure for CLOVERS was defined as a SOFA score 2 or more points higher than baseline): * Coagulation( Platelets, ×10³/µL): Score = 0: \>150; 1: \</= 150; 2: \</= 100; 3: \</= 50; 4: \</= 2 * Liver (Bilirubin, mg/dL): Score: 0: \<1.2; 1: 1.2-1.9; 2: 2.0-5.9; 3: 6.0-11.9; 4: \>11.9 * Cardiovascular(Hypotension): Score: 0: no hypotension; 1: Mean arterial pressure \<70 mmHg; 2: Dopamine\</=5 OR any dobutamine; 3: Dopanime \>5, epinephrine \</=0, or Norepi \</=0.1; 4: Dop \>15, epi \>0.1, or norepi \>0.1 * Renal (Creatinine, mg/dL or urine output, ml/d): Score: 0: \<1.2; 1: 1.2-1.9; 3: 2.0-3.4; 3: 3.5-4.9 or \<500; 4: \>4.9 or \<200

Time frame: 72 hours after randomization

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Restrictive FluidsChange in SOFA (Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment) Score-0.7 score on a scale
Liberal FluidsChange in SOFA (Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment) Score-0.8 score on a scale
95% CI: [-0.3, 0.4]
Secondary

Death From Any Cause at Any Location by Day 90

Subjects were contacted at day 90 to ascertain their survival status via telephone contact with the patient or family members or by a review of medical records and publicly available data sources.

Time frame: From randomization to and including day 90

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Restrictive FluidsDeath From Any Cause at Any Location by Day 90172 Participants
Liberal FluidsDeath From Any Cause at Any Location by Day 90169 Participants
95% CI: [-3.6, 4.7]
Secondary

Development of ARDS

Presence and severity of ARDS is determined using the PaO2/FiO2 ratio or SpO2/FiO2 ratio and confirmation of ARDS through chest x-ray reviews.

Time frame: 7 days after randomization

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Restrictive FluidsDevelopment of ARDS19 Participants
Liberal FluidsDevelopment of ARDS20 Participants
95% CI: [-1.7, 1.5]
Secondary

Hospital Free Days to Discharge Home

Days alive post hospital discharge through day 28. Patients who die on or prior to day 28 are assigned zero hospital free days.

Time frame: 28 days after randomization

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Restrictive FluidsHospital Free Days to Discharge Home16.2 days
Liberal FluidsHospital Free Days to Discharge Home15.4 days
95% CI: [-0.3, 1.9]
Secondary

ICU Free Days

Defined as the number of days spent alive out of the ICU to day 28.

Time frame: 28 days after randomization

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Restrictive FluidsICU Free Days22.8 days
Liberal FluidsICU Free Days22.7 days
95% CI: [-0.8, 1]
Secondary

Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy

Patients receiving (new) renal replacement therapy through day 28. Patients with chronic renal replacement therapy initiated prior to the current sepsis illness were not eligible to meet this endpoint.

Time frame: 28 days after randomization

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Restrictive FluidsInitiation of Renal Replacement Therapy24 Participants
Liberal FluidsInitiation of Renal Replacement Therapy24 Participants
95% CI: [-1.8, 1.8]
Secondary

Kidney Disease: Change in Creatinine-based Global Outcomes (KIDGO) Score Between Baseline and 72 Hours

Assessment of renal function using the KDIGO staging system (using serum creatinine criteria only) between baseline and 72 hours post randomization to assess for de novo acute kidney injury (AKI) (e.g., meeting criteria for AKI by KDIGO criteria) or worsening AKI (e.g., increasing severity). Patients on chronic renal replacement therapy were not eligible for this endpoint determination. Scoring of 1-3 (using serum creatinine levels; a higher score indicates worsening kidney function): 1. creatinine level 1.5-1.9 times baseline OR \>/= 0.3 mg/dl (\>/= 25.5 umol/l) increase 2. creatinine level 2.0-2.9 times baseline 3. creatinine level 3.0 times baseline OR increase in serum creatinine to \>/=4.0mg/dl (\>/= 353 umol/l) OR initiation of renal replacement therapy

Time frame: 72 hours after randomization

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Restrictive FluidsKidney Disease: Change in Creatinine-based Global Outcomes (KIDGO) Score Between Baseline and 72 Hours0.35 score on a scale
Liberal FluidsKidney Disease: Change in Creatinine-based Global Outcomes (KIDGO) Score Between Baseline and 72 Hours0.34 score on a scale
95% CI: [-0.1, 0.1]
Secondary

New Intubation With Invasive Mechanical Ventilation by 28 Days

Patients who receive invasive mechanical ventilation via endotracheal or tracheostomy tube, except those intubated solely for a procedure and extubated within 24 hours, through to study day 28 meet this endpoint. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation will not be included as an outcome. This is a binary outcome.

Time frame: 28 days after randomization

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Restrictive FluidsNew Intubation With Invasive Mechanical Ventilation by 28 Days77 Participants
Liberal FluidsNew Intubation With Invasive Mechanical Ventilation by 28 Days87 Participants
95% CI: [-5.1, 1.7]
Secondary

New Onset Atrial or Ventricular Arrhythmia

The occurrence of one or more episodes (sustained for more than 1 minute for SVT and AF, \> 15 seconds for VT) during through day 28 will be recorded.

Time frame: 28 days after randomization

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Restrictive FluidsNew Onset Atrial or Ventricular Arrhythmia59 Participants
Liberal FluidsNew Onset Atrial or Ventricular Arrhythmia67 Participants
95% CI: [-3.7, 1.7]
Secondary

Organ Support Free Days

Defined as a patient being alive and without assisted breathing, new renal replacement therapy, or vasopressors (excluding vasopressor use prior to 48 hours). Any day that a patient is alive and without organ support will represent days alive and free of organ support.

Time frame: 28 days after randomization

Population: We only report primary and secondary outcomes using available data without imputation. Because of missing data, the denominator may vary for selected outcomes as reported in the primary publication (PMID: 36688507).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Restrictive FluidsOrgan Support Free Days24 days
Liberal FluidsOrgan Support Free Days23.6 days
95% CI: [-0.5, 1.2]
Secondary

Renal Replacement Free Days

The number of calendar days between randomization and 28 days later that the patient is alive and without renal replacement therapy. Patients who died prior to day 28 are assigned zero renal replacement free days.

Time frame: 28 days after randomization

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Restrictive FluidsRenal Replacement Free Days24.1 days
Liberal FluidsRenal Replacement Free Days23.9 days
95% CI: [-0.8, 1.2]
Secondary

Vasopressor Free Days

The number of calendar days between day 2 (eligibility starting 48 hours post randomization) and 26 days later that the patient is alive and without the use of vasopressor therapy. Patients who died prior to day 28 are assigned zero vasopressor free days.

Time frame: From study day 2 through day 28

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Restrictive FluidsVasopressor Free Days22 days
Liberal FluidsVasopressor Free Days21.6 days
95% CI: [-0.5, 1.3]
Secondary

Ventilator Free Days (VFD)

Ventilator-free days is defined to be 28 days minus the duration of mechanical ventilation through day 28. Participants who do not survive to day 28 are assigned zero ventilator-free days.

Time frame: 28 days after randomization

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Restrictive FluidsVentilator Free Days (VFD)23.4 days
Liberal FluidsVentilator Free Days (VFD)22.8 days
95% CI: [-0.4, 1.6]

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 3, 2026