The PLUS Trial

This large multicentre randomised trial will provide vital information for clinicians on the safety and efficacy of Plasma-Lyte 148® in comparison with saline that will inform and influence clinical practice in Australia and worldwide.

Another fluid resuscitation study for us

Background

  • Fluid resuscitation is a fundamental component of the management of critically ill patients and the choice of fluid is a longstanding issue of debate

  • Worldwide, 0.9% saline (”normal saline”) has traditionally been the most widely used resuscitation fluid, however its use is increasingly challenged by emerging evidence that its high chloride content may have clinically important adverse effects

  • Use of balanced crystalloid solutions such as Plasma-Lyte 148® may be associated with decreased mortality and decreased risk of acute kidney injury

Trial Design

  • a prospective, multi-centre, parallel group, concealed, blinded, randomised, controlled trial

  • PLUS compares two approaches to fluid resuscitation in critically ill adults in the ICU

  • the study will enrol 8,800 patients in ICUs in Australia and New Zealand

Supporters

  • The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia

  • Baxter Healthcare

  • The Health Research Council of New Zealand

  • The Medical Research Institute of New Zealand

Coordinating centre: The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia

Chief Investigator: Professor Simon Finfer, The George Institute for Global Health

Software Platform: Spinnaker, Spiral Software

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Primary Outcome

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 normal saline.

Supporting Material

Listen to Chief Investigator, Simon Finfer discuss buffered solutions on the Osler Podcast