Study SOLACE SEPSIS

This study investigates two resuscitation fluids that are being used off label for the treatment of patients suffering from septic shock and also in patients with intracranial hypertension in intensive care.

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects will be eligible for the trial if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Age criteria: 18 - 90 years
• Septic shock - Sepsis 3 criteria :

• acute change in total SOFA score ≥ 2 due to infection
• use of vasopressor drug to maintain target mean arterial pressure ≥ 65 mmHg
• blood lactate level ≥ 2 mmol/L within last 24 hours
• Likely need for fluid resuscitation

• poor peripheral perfusion as evidenced by 2 out of 4: i. peripheral cyanosis with delayed capillary refill ≥ 3 seconds ii. low urinary output (< 0.5 ml/kg/hour for at least 6 hours) iii. central venous O2 saturation < 70% iv. clouded sensorium/poor mentation
• dynamic assessment of preload responsiveness as evidenced by 1 out of 3: i. positive passive leg raising test ii. pulse pressure variation and / or stroke volume variation2, both > 12% iii. distensibility index of inferior vena caval diameter > 12%
• Signed the relevant informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects will not be eligible for the trial if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Poor transthoracic echo windows
• Actual body weight > 160 kg
• Hypernatremia: [Na] > 150 mEq/L
• Cardiac tamponade
• Uncorrected severe valvular heart disease or life-threatening arrhythmia
• Moribund patients likely to die before the study protocol is completed
• Patients with absolute indication for immediate acute hemodialysis/hemofiltration (within 2 hrs) based on pH < 7.0, K > 7.0mmol/L
• Severe liver dysfunction defined by total serum bilirubin > 120 umol/l
• Pregnancy and lactation