Septic Shock
Conditions
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
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.
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
Study design
Eligibility
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
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Death Before Discharge Home by Day 90 | From 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
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ventilator Free Days (VFD) | 28 days after randomization | 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. |
| Renal Replacement Free Days | 28 days after randomization | 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. |
| Vasopressor Free Days | From study day 2 through day 28 | 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. |
| ICU Free Days | 28 days after randomization | Defined as the number of days spent alive out of the ICU to day 28. |
| Hospital Free Days to Discharge Home | 28 days after randomization | Days 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 Days | 28 days after randomization | 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. |
| Organ Support Free Days | 28 days after randomization | 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. |
| Kidney Disease: Change in Creatinine-based Global Outcomes (KIDGO) Score Between Baseline and 72 Hours | 72 hours after randomization | 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 |
| Change in SOFA (Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment) Score | 72 hours after randomization | 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 |
| Development of ARDS | 7 days after randomization | 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. |
| New Onset Atrial or Ventricular Arrhythmia | 28 days after randomization | 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. |
| Death From Any Cause at Any Location by Day 90 | From randomization to and including 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. |
| Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy | 28 days after randomization | 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. |
Countries
United States
Participant flow
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Total | 1,563 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Total | Restrictive Fluids | Liberal Fluids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Continuous | 59.5 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 Participants | 678 Participants | 694 Participants |
| Coexisting Conditions Chronic heart failure No reported | 13 Participants | 5 Participants | 8 Participants |
| Coexisting Conditions Chronic heart failure Yes | 178 Participants | 99 Participants | 79 Participants |
| Coexisting Conditions Diabetes No | 1104 Participants | 555 Participants | 549 Participants |
| Coexisting Conditions Diabetes No reported | 13 Participants | 5 Participants | 8 Participants |
| Coexisting Conditions Diabetes Yes | 446 Participants | 222 Participants | 224 Participants |
| Coexisting Conditions end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis No | 1477 Participants | 744 Participants | 733 Participants |
| Coexisting Conditions end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis No reported | 13 Participants | 5 Participants | 8 Participants |
| Coexisting Conditions end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis Yes | 73 Participants | 33 Participants | 40 Participants |
| Hispanic or Latino ethnic group no | 1274 Participants | 628 Participants | 646 Participants |
| Hispanic or Latino ethnic group not reported | 63 Participants | 36 Participants | 27 Participants |
| Hispanic or Latino ethnic group yes | 226 Participants | 118 Participants | 108 Participants |
| Location at Randomization Emergency Department | 1437 Participants | 729 Participants | 708 Participants |
| Location at Randomization ICU | 106 Participants | 44 Participants | 62 Participants |
| Location at Randomization Other | 20 Participants | 9 Participants | 11 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) American Indian or Alaska Native | 12 Participants | 8 Participants | 4 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Asian | 52 Participants | 26 Participants | 26 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Black or African American | 246 Participants | 134 Participants | 112 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) More than one race | 4 Participants | 3 Participants | 1 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 2 Participants | 1 Participants | 1 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported | 145 Participants | 78 Participants | 67 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) White | 1102 Participants | 532 Participants | 570 Participants |
| Region of Enrollment United States | 1563 participants | 782 participants | 781 participants |
| Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score | 3.4 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 Participants | 371 Participants | 366 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Male | 826 Participants | 411 Participants | 415 Participants |
| Systolic Blood Pressure | 93.5 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 randomization | 61 minutes | 61 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Volume of fluid administered before randomization | 2050 mililiters | 2050 mililiters | 2050 mililiters |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk | EG001 affected / at risk |
|---|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | 172 / 768 | 169 / 773 |
| other Total, other adverse events | 4 / 782 | 14 / 781 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 18 / 782 | 19 / 781 |
Outcome results
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.
| Arm | Measure | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Death Before Discharge Home by Day 90 | 14 percentage of participants |
| Liberal Fluids | Death Before Discharge Home by Day 90 | 14.9 percentage of participants |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Change in SOFA (Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment) Score | -0.7 score on a scale |
| Liberal Fluids | Change in SOFA (Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment) Score | -0.8 score on a scale |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Death From Any Cause at Any Location by Day 90 | 172 Participants |
| Liberal Fluids | Death From Any Cause at Any Location by Day 90 | 169 Participants |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Development of ARDS | 19 Participants |
| Liberal Fluids | Development of ARDS | 20 Participants |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Hospital Free Days to Discharge Home | 16.2 days |
| Liberal Fluids | Hospital Free Days to Discharge Home | 15.4 days |
ICU Free Days
Defined as the number of days spent alive out of the ICU to day 28.
Time frame: 28 days after randomization
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | ICU Free Days | 22.8 days |
| Liberal Fluids | ICU Free Days | 22.7 days |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy | 24 Participants |
| Liberal Fluids | Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy | 24 Participants |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Kidney Disease: Change in Creatinine-based Global Outcomes (KIDGO) Score Between Baseline and 72 Hours | 0.35 score on a scale |
| Liberal Fluids | Kidney Disease: Change in Creatinine-based Global Outcomes (KIDGO) Score Between Baseline and 72 Hours | 0.34 score on a scale |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | New Intubation With Invasive Mechanical Ventilation by 28 Days | 77 Participants |
| Liberal Fluids | New Intubation With Invasive Mechanical Ventilation by 28 Days | 87 Participants |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | New Onset Atrial or Ventricular Arrhythmia | 59 Participants |
| Liberal Fluids | New Onset Atrial or Ventricular Arrhythmia | 67 Participants |
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).
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Organ Support Free Days | 24 days |
| Liberal Fluids | Organ Support Free Days | 23.6 days |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Renal Replacement Free Days | 24.1 days |
| Liberal Fluids | Renal Replacement Free Days | 23.9 days |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Vasopressor Free Days | 22 days |
| Liberal Fluids | Vasopressor Free Days | 21.6 days |
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
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Fluids | Ventilator Free Days (VFD) | 23.4 days |
| Liberal Fluids | Ventilator Free Days (VFD) | 22.8 days |