When a patient develops sepsis, their body faces a life-threatening infection that can lead to organ failure. Doctors must act fast, often using intravenous fluids to stabilize the patient. This study looked at how different types of fluids affect outcomes for over 8,000 adults with sepsis.
The researchers compared balanced crystalloid solutions to normal saline. They found that patients who received balanced solutions had a lower mortality rate and were less likely to develop acute kidney injury. These patients also had fewer instances of hyperchloremia, which is a high level of chloride in the blood, and required less renal replacement therapy (a type of dialysis).
While the results show a clear benefit for using balanced fluids, it is important to note that the evidence for lower mortality has moderate certainty. The study included several trials but also one observational study in its final check. These findings suggest that balanced crystalloids are a preferred choice for fluid resuscitation in sepsis cases.
