Lactate versus acetate buffered crystalloid solutions: Protocol for a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Nephrology
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy is common in clinical practice, with isotonic crystalloid fluids being widely used.
• Buffered crystalloid solutions are increasingly recommended for fluid resuscitation.
• Limited data exists to guide the choice between lactate- and acetate-buffered solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and describe the evidence on the use of different buffered crystalloid solutions in hospitalized patients.
• To compare lactate-buffered versus acetate-buffered crystalloid solutions.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review will be conducted, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) statement.
• All study designs will be included.
• Studies involving adult hospitalized patients receiving IV fluids will be considered.

Main Results:

• Descriptive analysis of included studies will be performed; no meta-analyses will be conducted.
• Studies comparing lactate-buffered versus acetate-buffered crystalloid solutions will be included.
• All reported outcome measures will be analyzed, and evidence quality will be assessed using the GRADE approach.

Conclusions:

• This scoping review will summarize current evidence on the use, effects, and side-effects of buffered crystalloid solutions.
• It will provide an update on the evidence, including potential benefits and harms of these fluids.