Algorithm for Oliguria in Septic Shock

Plain-language summary

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) develops in 88% to 30% of critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit and is a strong predictor of mortality.Therefore any management strategy that prevents progression of renal risk to injury or failure has the potential to improve outcomes in these patients.Conventional management of acute oliguria in shock has been to blindly 'push' fluids to improve renal perfusion or to give loop diuretics once fluid loading has been considered as accomplished. However both volume overload and 'blind' attempts at fluid removal can worsen renal injury and have been associated with higher mortality by venous overcongestion and inappropriate hypovolemia. It seems reasonable to assume that a bedside test to visualize volume status and renal perfusion may assist in improving outcomes in this cohort.The investigators developed a goal-directed ultrasonographic protocol to provide immediate hemodynamic information in acutely oliguric patients with shock as well as a management algorithm for guiding therapy. The investigators incorporated IVC diameter measurement, respiratory variation and response to a passive leg raise to assess whether further fluid boluses were required and a measurement of renal perfusion to determine whether diuretics or renal replacement therapy were indicated. The investigators aim to measure the effects of this management protocol on the rates of AKI in the study participants as compared to prior to the implementation of the protocol.The study design is a prospective, observational. Since this is a proof of concept study, the projected sample size is 40 patients. An interim analysis will be carried out after 20 patients are enrolled and a further 20 will be enrolled as necessary

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