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Hidden sources of fluids, sodium and potassium in stabilised Swedish ICU patients: A multicentre retrospective observational study
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgical Sciences, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9995-3132
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgical Sciences, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care.
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2021 (English)In: European Journal of Anaesthesiology, ISSN 0265-0215, E-ISSN 1365-2346, Vol. 38, no 6, p. 625-633Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

BACKGROUND: Fluid overload in ICU patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although studies report on optimisation of resuscitation fluids given to ICU patients, increasing evidence suggests that maintenance fluids and fluids used to administer drugs are important sources of fluid overload.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the volume of maintenance fluids and electrolytes on overall fluid balance and their relation to mortality in stabilised ICU patients.

DESIGN: Multicentre retrospective observational study.

SETTING: Six mixed surgical and medical ICUs in Sweden.

PATIENTS: A total of 241 adult patients who spent at least 7 days in the ICU during 2018.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the volume of maintenance, resuscitation and drug diluent fluids administered on days 3 to 7 in the ICU. Secondary endpoints were to compare dispensed amounts of maintenance fluids and electrolytes with predicted requirements. We also investigated the effects of administered fluids and electrolytes on patient outcomes.

RESULTS: During ICU days 3 to 7, 56.4% of the total fluids given were maintenance fluids, nutritional fluids or both, 25.4% were drug fluids and 18.1% were resuscitation fluids. Patients received fluids 1.29 (95% confidence interval 1.07 to 1.56) times their estimated fluid needs. Despite this, 93% of the cohort was treated with diuretics or renal replacement therapy. Patients were given 2.17 (1.57 to 2.96) times their theoretical sodium needs and 1.22 (0.75 to 1.77) times their potassium needs. The median [IQR] volume of fluid loss during the 5-day study period was 3742 [3156 to 4479] ml  day-1, with urine output the main source of fluid loss. Death at 90 days was not associated with fluid or electrolyte balance in this cohort.

CONCLUSION: Maintenance and drug fluids far exceeded resuscitative fluids in ICU patients beyond the resuscitative phase. This excess fluid intake, in conjunction with high urinary output and treatment for fluid offload in almost all patients, suggests that a large volume of the maintenance fluids given was unnecessary.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.org (identifier: NCT03972475).

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Wolters Kluwer, 2021. Vol. 38, no 6, p. 625-633
National Category
Anesthesiology and Intensive Care
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-427135DOI: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000001354ISI: 000647705400008PubMedID: 33074941OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-427135DiVA, id: diva2:1506481
Available from: 2020-12-03 Created: 2020-12-03 Last updated: 2025-03-07Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Physiological and psychological aspects of fluid therapy in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Physiological and psychological aspects of fluid therapy in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine
2025 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Intravenous fluid administration is commonly used for critically ill and perioperative patients, but increasing attention is being given to its potential negative effects. In these cases, balancing fluid needs for hemodynamic stability with avoiding fluid overload and organ damage is crucial.

This thesis aimed to describe fluid administration practices in ICUs and postoperative care units in Sweden, focusing on how clinicians’ approach four key areas. It also sought to highlight the consequences of these practices and encourage clinicians to reconsider routine fluid prescriptions in both intensive care and perioperative settings.

In Paper I, a prospective multicentre interventional cross-over study, we investigated if limiting the availability of standard-sized fluid bags of Ringer’s acetate and replacing them with smaller-sized fluid bags would affect the total amount of fluid administered to ICU patients (n=437) and the impact on morbidity or mortality. However, data did not support our hypothesis.

Paper II is a retrospective, multicentre study examining fluid types given to ICU patients (n=241) in the post-resuscitation phase. We found that maintenance and drug fluids significantly exceeded resuscitative fluids, with patients receiving more maintenance fluids, drug diluents, and sodium than recommended.

Paper III is a post-hoc analysis of Paper II data. We found that plasma urea's share of estimated plasma osmolality increases during fluid volume reduction and with higher osmolality, independent of nitrogen administration and renal function. This shift from ionic osmolytes to urea resembles patterns seen in estivating animals.

Paper IV is a single-centre study examining the relationship between ADH levels, fluid administration, and urine output in postoperative major abdominal surgery patients (n=54). We found that elevated ADH levels did not predict urine output or oliguria, but hypotension did. Increased fluid administration did not normalize urine output after oliguria.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, 2025. p. 67
Series
Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine, ISSN 1651-6206 ; 2161
Keywords
Anaesthesia, Critical Care, Perioperative Care, Fluid Therapy, Fluid Balance.
National Category
Anesthesiology and Intensive Care
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-552076 (URN)978-91-513-2504-0 (ISBN)
Public defence
2025-08-21, H:son Holmdahlsalen, Akademiska sjukhuset, ing. 100, Uppsala, 09:15 (Swedish)
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Available from: 2025-05-26 Created: 2025-03-07 Last updated: 2025-05-26

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Nihlén, SandraKawati, RafaelPikwer, AndreasLipcsey, Miklós

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