Abstract
BackgroundFluid bolus administration is widely recommended as part of the initial treatment of paediatric sepsis, though the physiological benefits and harms are unclear. The primary aim of this study is to determine the effect of fluid bolus administration on cardiac index (CI). Secondary aims are to determine the effect of fluid bolus administration on extra-vascular lung water (EVLW), whether fluid responsiveness can be predicted by inferior vena cava (IVC) collapsibility, and whether fluid responsiveness correlates with changes in vital signs.Methods/designA prospective observational study of children presenting to the Emergency Department of The Royal Children’s Hospital with clinically diagnosed sepsis requiring fluid bolus administration. Prior to fluid bolus administration, an echocardiogram, lung ultrasound, and IVC ultrasound will be performed, and vital signs recorded. These will be repeated 5 min after and 60 min after fluid bolus administration. Recorded echocardiograms and lung/IVC ultrasound will be evaluated independently by a paediatric cardiologist and paediatric emergency physician, respectively, blinded to the patient identity and time of examination relative to time of fluid bolus administration. Fifty patients will be enrolled in the study based on a precision based sample size calculation. Results will be analysed for change in CI and change in EVLW 5 min after and 60 min after fluid bolus administration compared to baseline, IVC collapsibility as a predictor of fluid responsiveness, and the relationship between fluid responsiveness and changes in vital signs.DiscussionThis study will explore assumptions about the effect of fluid boluses on CI in children with sepsis, and will provide evidence for secondary effects on other organ systems. This may lead to novel methods for assessment and decision making in the initial resuscitation of paediatric sepsis in clinical and research settings, and will likely influence the design of future interventional studies in this arena.Trial registrationThe study is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12614000824662; 04 August 2014).
Highlights
Fluid bolus administration is widely recommended as part of the initial treatment of paediatric sepsis, though the physiological benefits and harms are unclear
This study will explore assumptions about the effect of fluid boluses on cardiac index (CI) in children with sepsis, and will provide evidence for secondary effects on other organ systems. This may lead to novel methods for assessment and decision making in the initial resuscitation of paediatric sepsis in clinical and research settings, and will likely influence the design of future interventional studies in this arena
Four major questions remain unanswered regarding fluid resuscitation for paediatric sepsis: what is the ideal fluid content, what is the ideal fluid volume, over what time period it should be administered, and what therapeutic targets should be used to titrate therapy
Summary
Fluid bolus administration is widely recommended as part of the initial treatment of paediatric sepsis, though the physiological benefits and harms are unclear. Fluid resuscitation for sepsis was popularised in 2001, when early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) was shown to improve survival in adults with septic shock when instituted in the emergency department (ED) [8] This approach involved aggressive fluid resuscitation to achieve threshold central venous pressure (CVP) values, followed by early initiation of vasoactive agents for ongoing hypotension, and transfusion of blood for low central venous oxygen saturations (ScvO2). The Fluid Expansion As Supportive Therapy (FEAST) study found that FRT in Sub-Saharan African children with fever and signs of poor perfusion increased mortality compared to no FRT [20] This raises serious questions about the role of FRT in the management of sepsis, and our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FRT in conditions where no volume loss has occurred
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