Australia, New Zealand808 participantsStarted 2018-01-26
Plain-language summary
End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is a significant, expensive health problem. Kidney transplantation improves survival, quality of life, and is much cheaper than dialysis treatment for ESKD. 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 0.9% sodium chloride or saline) are critical to preserve kidney transplant function, but there is evidence that 0.9% saline may not be the safest fluid to use due to its high chloride content.
BEST Fluids is a randomised controlled trial that aims to find out whether using a balanced low-chloride solution - Plasma-Lyte 148® - 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.
Who can participate
Sex
ALL
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Adult or child with End-Stage Kidney Disease, of any cause, on maintenance dialysis, or who has pre-dialysis stage 5 chronic kidney disease with an estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate of \<15 mL/min/1.73m2, AND
. Planned deceased donor kidney transplant from a brain-death (DBD) or circulatory-death (DCD) organ donor within 24 hours, AND
. Written informed consent, or consent given by their parent or guardian (if age \<18), or other authorised person
Exclusion criteria
. Planned live donor kidney transplant (except where this is cancelled in favour or transplantation from a deceased donor)
. Planned multi-organ transplant (dual or en-bloc kidney transplants are not excluded)
. Children of weight \<20 kg, or a child that the treating physician believes should not be included in a study of blinded fluids due to their small body size
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
The proportion of participants with Delayed Graft Function