Fluid resuscitation in emergency patients with sepsis and hypotension (ARISE Fluids)

Grant ID: EMPJ-202R29-2018

Project Summary

The question of fluid volume in resuscitation has been identified as the top priority in sepsis research by emergency physicians in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Guidelines and sepsis pathways recommend an initial intravenous (IV) fluid bolus of 30ml/kg isotonic crystalloid for patients with sepsis and hypotension. However, there is a lack of evidence from clinical trials to support this strategy. Both observational data as well as randomised studies suggest there may be harm associated with injudicious use of fluids in sepsis. Since there is equipoise regarding a more liberal or restricted fluid volume resuscitation as first line treatment for sepsis-related hypotension, we conducted the pilot multicentre REstricted Fluid REsuscitation in Sepsis-associated Hypotension (REFRESH) trial comparing a restricted fluid protocol with early initiation of vasopressor support against standard guideline care.

The data from REFRESH will inform feasibility of a large, multicentre phase III study. However, further ground work is essential for the optimal design of a Phase III trial that will provide valuable information on feasibility (road test recruitment rate and screening processes) as well as refinement of the protocol (sample size estimation, processes of care, prevalence of the population of interest, real world clinical practice regarding fluid use).

In this ARISE Fluids study, we aim to provide more insight into current practice by conducting a bi-national multi-site prospective observational study of fluid administration in (suspected) sepsis and hypotension in the Emergency Departments of Australia and New Zealand hospitals. Sites have been selected on the basis of having expressed interest in participating in a phase III trial.


Outcomes

The ARISE Fluids study provided insight into current haemodynamic resuscitation practices in patients with sepsis and hypotension; as well as practice variation across 70 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. A total of 591 participants were included.

Overall, the study findings showed that current fluid administration practices vary widely, from restricted volume and earlier use of vasopressors, to liberal use of fluids and later initiation of vasopressors. A vasopressor infusion was started in 30 per cent of patients in the first 24 hours of care and 37 per cent were admitted to an Intensive Care Unit.

On average two litres of intravenous fluids was given before starting vasopressors. The total volume of fluid in the first 24 hours was 4.2L. Variation in practice regarding fluid volume, is evident as there was a range from 1 - 12.2L of total fluid given in the first 24 hours.

The study has promoted collaboration between Gold Coast Health and established research centres including The Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine, and the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society – Research Centre. An immediate impact of this research relates to the networks infrastructure created by this collaboration, with more than 80 sites expressing interest to be a part of a future large scale randomised controlled trial. The ARISE fluids study also established GCHHS as a leader in Australasian sepsis research.

In Queensland, the $96,018 grant from the Emergency Medicine Foundation (funded by Queensland Health) enabled the study to be conducted, led by Gold Coast University Hospital. A large network of hospitals across Australia and New Zealand participating in the study included: Auckland City Hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Adelaide, Austin Health Melbourne.


IMPACT

An immediate impact of this research relates to the networks infrastructure created by this collaboration, with more than 80 sites expressing interest to be a part of a future large scale randomised controlled trial. The ARISE fluids study also established GCHHS as a leader in Australasian sepsis research.

Leveraged Funds

- Gold Coast Health and Gold Coast Hospital Foundation: $93,882 [Keijzers G, Henderson P, Harley A, Macdonald S, Taylor D, Jones P, Peake S, Delaney A. (2018) Fluid resuscitation in emergency patients with sepsis and hypotension. ]


Dissemination

Keijzers, G., Macdonald, S.P., Udy, A.A., Arendts, G., Bailey, M., Bellomo, R., Blecher, G.E., Burcham, J., Coggins, A.R., Delaney, A. and Fatovich, D.M., 2020. The Australasian Resuscitation In Sepsis Evaluation: Fluids or vasopressors in emergency department sepsis (ARISE FLUIDS), a multi‐centre observational study describing current practice in Australia and New Zealand. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 32(4), pp.586-598.

Keijzers, G., Macdonald, S.P., Udy, A.A., Arendts, G., Bailey, M., Bellomo, R., Blecher, G.E., Burcham, J., Delaney, A., Coggins, A.R. and Fatovich, D.M., 2019. The Australasian Resuscitation In Sepsis Evaluation: FLUid or vasopressors In Emergency Department Sepsis, a multicentre observational study (ARISE FLUIDS observational study): Rationale, methods and analysis plan. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 31(1), pp.90-96.


Video/Presentations

ACEM ASM Perth 2018: Professor Gerben Keijzers, invited speaker

EMCORE Byron Bay 23-25 January 2019: Professor Gerben Keijzers, invited speaker

EMCORE Melbourne 1-2 June 2019: Professor Gerben Keijzers, invited speaker

Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) CTG Meeting, Noosa, QLD 5 – 7 March 2019 Gerben Keijzers: ARISE FLUIDS observational study; oral presentation

Gold Coast Health Research Week, Gold Coast, QLD 11 - 17 November 2019: Katya May: The Australasian Resuscitation In Sepsis Evaluation: FLUid or Vasopressors In Emergency Department Sepsis, a multi-centre observational study (ARISE FLUIDS study); oral presentation

ACEM ASM Hobart 2019: The Australasian Resuscitation in Sepsis Evaluation: Fluid or Vasopressors in Emergency Department Sepsis, a Multi-Centre Observational Study (ARISE FLUIDS) Prof Gerben Keijzers. (nomination for Best Fellow's Paper)

SHARE

Amount Awarded
$96,018


Program


Grant Scheme


Status
Complete


Principal Investigator:
Prof Gerben Keijzers


Co Investigators:
A/Prof Stephen Macdonald
Dr Julian Williams
Prof John Fraser
Prof Sandra Peake
A/Prof Anthony Delaney
Prof David Taylor
A/Prof Peter Jones
Ms Patricia Williams


Associate Investigators:
Prof Daniel Fatovich
A/Prof Glenn Arendts
Prof Andrew Udy
Ms Amanda Harley
Prof Rinaldo Bellomo


Institution


Collaborating Institutions


Links

  • EMF case study (12/12/18)
  • Linked EMF grant: REstricted Fluid REsuscitation in Sepsis-related Hypotension (REFRESH)
  • Podcast about this project (11/3/18)
  • Results from ARISE trial: "Goal-Directed Resuscitation for Patients with Early Septic Shock", NEJM

  • CONTACT US +61 7 3720 5700 info@emfoundation.org.au Suite 1B, Terraces, 19 Lang Parade, Milton Qld 4064