Higher Fluid Balance Increases the Risk of Death from Sepsis: Results from a Large International Audit∗

Yasser Sakr, Paolo Nahuel Rubatto Birri, Katarzyna Kotfis, Intensive Care Over Nations Investigators (ICON Investigators), Inga Krupnova (Member of the Working Group), Indulis Vanags (Member of the Working Group), Viesturs Liguts (Member of the Working Group)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

236 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Excessive fluid therapy in patients with sepsis may be associated with risks that outweigh any benefit. We investigated the possible influence of early fluid balance on outcome in a large international database of ICU patients with sepsis. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: Seven hundred and thirty ICUs in 84 countries. Patients: All adult patients admitted between May 8 and May 18, 2012, except admissions for routine postoperative surveillance. For this analysis, we included only the 1,808 patients with an admission diagnosis of sepsis. Patients were stratified according to quartiles of cumulative fluid balance 24 hours and 3 days after ICU admission. Measurements and Main Results: ICU and hospital mortality rates were 27.6% and 37.3%, respectively. The cumulative fluid balance increased from 1,217 mL (-90 to 2,783 mL) in the first 24 hours after ICU admission to 1,794 mL (-951 to 5,108 mL) on day 3 and decreased thereafter. The cumulative fluid intake was similar in survivors and nonsurvivors, but fluid balance was less positive in survivors because of higher fluid output in these patients. Fluid balances became negative after the third ICU day in survivors but remained positive in nonsurvivors. After adjustment for possible confounders in multivariable analysis, the 24-hour cumulative fluid balance was not associated with an increased hazard of 28-day in-hospital death. However, there was a stepwise increase in the hazard of death with higher quartiles of 3-day cumulative fluid balance in the whole population and after stratification according to the presence of septic shock. Conclusions: In this large cohort of patients with sepsis, higher cumulative fluid balance at day 3 but not in the first 24 hours after ICU admission was independently associated with an increase in the hazard of death.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)386-394
Number of pages9
JournalCritical Care Medicine
Volume45
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords*

  • fluid administration
  • fluid output
  • outcome
  • septic shock

Field of Science*

  • 3.2 Clinical medicine

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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