Isotonic balanced fluid versus 0.9% saline in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: A double-blinded randomised controlled trial

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2024

Abstract

Background and importance: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global health concern with significant economic impact. Optimal fluid therapy aims to restore intravascular volume, maintain cerebral perfusion pressure and blood flow, thus preventing secondary brain injury. While 0.9% saline (NS) is commonly used, concerns about acid-base and electrolyte imbalance and development of acute kidney injury (AKI) lead to consideration of balanced fluids as an alternative. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of patients with moderate to severe TBI treated with Sterofundin (SF) versus NS. Design, settings and participants: A double-blinded randomised controlled trial of patients aged 18 to 65 years with TBI was conducted at the University Malaya Medical Centre from February 2017 to November 2019. Intervention or exposure: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either NS or SF. The study fluids were administered for 72 h as continuous infusions or boluses. Participants, investigators, and staff were blinded to the fluid type. Outcomes measure and analysis: The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Main results: A total of 70 patients were included in the analysis, with 38 in the NS group and 32 in the SF group. The in-hospital mortality rate were 3 (7.9%) in the NS group vs. 4 (12.5%) in the SF group, RR =1.29 (95% CI, 0.64 to 2.59; p = 0.695). No patients developed AKI and required renal replacement therapy. ICP on day 3 was significantly higher in the SF group (18.60 +/- 9.26) compared to 12.77 +/- 3.63 in the NS group, (95% CI, -11.46 to 0.20; p = 0.037). There were no significant differences in 3-day biochemical parameters and cerebral perfusion pressure, ventilator-free days, length of ICU stay, or Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) score at 6 months. Conclusions: In patients with moderate to severe TBI, the use of SF was not associated with reduced in-hospital mortality, development of AKI, or improved 6-month GOS-E when compared to NS. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Traumatic brain injury, Isotonic balanced fluid, Sterofundin, 0.9% saline, Randomised controlled trial, Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended, GOS-E, Fluid therapy

Divisions

fac_med,anaesthesiology,surgerydept

Funders

University Malaya Research Fund Assistance [BK059-2017]

Publication Title

American Journal of Emergency Medicine

Volume

77

Publisher

W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC

Publisher Location

1600 JOHN F KENNEDY BOULEVARD, STE 1800, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103-2899 USA

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