Better Evidence for Selecting Transplant Fluids
A pragmatic, registry-based, double-blind, randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of Plasmalyte versus 0.9% saline on early kidney transplant function in deceased donor kidney transplantation.
Principal Investigators: Dr Michael Collins and Professor Steve Chadban
Clinical Project Manager: Julie Varghese (AKTN)
Trial Number: AKTN 15.02
Population: Adults and children with end-stage kidney disease receiving a deceased donor kidney transplant.
Intervention: Blinded intravenous Plasmalyte, or 0.9% saline (randomised 1:1), given for all fluid therapy purposes until 48 hours post-transplant.
Follow-up: 1 year
Primary outcome: Delayed graft function, defined as receiving treatment with any form of dialysis in the first seven days after transplant.
Status: Recruitment complete
Recruitment: 808 participants across Australia and New Zealand.
Publication (1): Study protocol has now been published, results expected in 2022. Read the full articles via the links below:
Full-text version at TRIALS journal website (Open Access) or in PDF Copy
Publication (2): Statistical Analysis Plan has now been published. Read the full articles via the links below:
Full-text version at TRIALS journal website (Open Access) or in PDF Copy
Publication (3): Baseline characteristics and representativeness paper has now been published. Read the full article in PDF Copy
Video: Findings and implications of the trial for the use of fluids in kidney transplantation – see video.
Blog: Art of Balance In Preventing Delayed Graft Function – BEST FLUIDS for better outcomes – read blog.
Trial Results: Simple changes to world practice for kidney transplants could deliver real benefits for recipients and reduce their need for dialysis by 25 per cent. Click here to read more.
Trial Summary
Kidney failure is a significant, expensive health problem. Kidney transplantation improves survival, quality of life, and is much cheaper than dialysis treatment for kidney failure. However sometimes kidney transplants from a deceased donor function poorly after surgery, and a period of continued dialysis is needed, a condition known as delayed graft function (DGF). In addition to complicating recovery, DGF can adversely affect long-term kidney function and the health of the recipient.
Intravenous fluids given during and after transplantation (usually sodium chloride, or normal saline) are critical to preserve kidney transplant function, but there is evidence that saline may not be the safest fluid to use due to its high chloride content.
The BEST-Fluids trial aims to find out whether using a balanced low-chloride solution – Plasmalyte – as an alternative to normal saline in deceased donor kidney transplantation, will improve kidney transplant function, reduce the impact of DGF, and improve long-term outcomes for patients. Participants will be enrolled, randomised and followed up using ANZDATA, the Australia & New Zealand Dialysis & Transplant Registry.