Comparison of Adverse Events With Vancomycin Diluted in Normal Saline vs Dextrose 5

IV vancomycin is widely used for infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria; however, nephrotoxicity is commonly associated with its use. Clinical trials have shown an increased incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) using normal saline (NS) for fluid resuscitation. This study evaluated differences in AKI and other patient outcomes associated with vancomycin diluted in NS compared with dextrose 5% in water (D5W).

This retrospective cohort study conducted at a single US Department of Veterans Affairs hospital included veterans who received vancomycin for at least 48 hours between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2020. This study compared adverse events (AEs) of patients receiving vancomycin diluted in either NS or D5W. The primary outcome was incidence of AKI. Secondary outcomes included incidence of hyperglycemia, hyperchloremia, hypernatremia, metabolic acidosis, in-hospital mortality, and 30-day posthospitalization mortality.

The study included 123 patients in each group (N = 246). The percentage of AKI was 22.8% in the D5W group compared with 14.6% the NS group (P = .14). There were no significant differences in the rates of hyperglycemia, hyperchloremia, hypernatremia, or metabolic acidosis between the 2 groups. In-hospital mortality and 30-day posthospitalization mortality were similar between the groups.

This study comparing the AEs of IV vancomycin diluted in NS and D5W found no significant differences in AKI or other patient outcomes. These study results do not suggest the crystalloid used to dilute IV vancomycin is associated with differences in nephrotoxicity or other relevant AEs.