Goal-directed fluid removal with furosemide versus placebo in intensive care patients with fluid overload: A randomised, blinded trial (GODIF trial-First version)

Fluid accumulation in adult ICU patients - A protocol for a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Fluid accumulation in critically ill patients is associated with adverse outcomes. However, there is a substantial variability in the terminology and definitions used to describe fluid accumulation. We aim to provide an overview of evidence describing fluid accumulation in critically ill adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), including how it is defined, patient characteristics associated with fluid accumulation, ICU population, and outcomes assessed.

METHODS

We will conduct a scoping review prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-analysis extension for Scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Pubmed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library will be searched systematically. All clinical studies reporting original data and investigating fluid accumulation, as defined by authors, in adult ICU patients will be included. We will assess the study design, the definition of fluid accumulation, ICU population, and the outcomes measured, categorised as patient-important or non-patient important, in the included studies. The results will be reported descriptively. The certainty of evidence will be assessed using a modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) on the research question level.

DISCUSSION

This scoping review will provide an overview of definitions used for fluid accumulation, and describe ICU patient populations, patient characteristics, and outcomes assessed in ICU research.

Evaluating fluid overload in critically ill children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the evaluation and management of fluid overload in critically ill children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Emerging evidence associates fluid overload, i.e. having a positive cumulative fluid balance, with adverse outcome in critically ill children. This is most likely the result of impaired organ function due to increased extravascular water content. The combination of a number of parameters, including physical, laboratory and radiographic markers, may aid the clinician in monitoring and quantifying fluid status, but all have important limitations, in particular to discriminate between intra- and extravascular water volume. Current guidelines advocate a restrictive fluid management, initiated early during the disease course, but are hampered by the lack of high quality evidence.

SUMMARY

Recent advances in early evaluation of fluid status and (tailored) restrictive fluid management in critically ill children may decrease complications of fluid overload, potentially improving outcome. Further clinical trials are necessary to provide the clinician with solid recommendations.

Furosemide versus placebo for fluid overload in intensive care patients-The randomised GODIF trial second version: Statistical analysis plan

BACKGROUND

Fluid overload is associated with increased mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The GODIF trial aims to assess the benefits and harms of fluid removal with furosemide versus placebo in stable adult patients with moderate to severe fluid overload in the ICU. This article describes the detailed statistical analysis plan for the primary results of the second version of the GODIF trial.

METHODS

The GODIF trial is an international, multi-centre, randomised, stratified, blinded, parallel-group, pragmatic clinical trial, allocating 1000 adult ICU patients with moderate to severe fluid overload 1:1 to furosemide versus placebo. The primary outcome is days alive and out of hospital within 90 days post-randomisation. With a power of 90% and an alpha level of 5%, we may reject or detect an improvement of 8%. The primary analyses of all outcomes will be performed in the intention-to-treat population. For the primary outcome, the Kryger Jensen and Lange method will be used to compare the two treatment groups adjusted for stratification variables supplemented with sensitivity analyses in the per-protocol population and with further adjustments for prognostic variables. Secondary outcomes will be analysed with multiple linear regressions, logistic regressions or the Kryger Jensen and Lange method as suitable with adjustment for stratification variables.

CONCLUSION

The GODIF trial data will increase the certainty about the effects of fluid removal using furosemide in adult ICU patients with fluid overload.

TRIAL REGISTRATIONS

EudraCT identifier: 2019-004292-40 and ClinicalTrials.org: NCT04180397.