Balanced Crystalloids Versus Normal Saline in Kidney Transplant Patients: An Updated Systematic Review,...

The use of balanced crystalloids over normal saline for perioperative fluid management during kidney transplantation and its benefits on acid-base and electrolyte balance along with its influence on postoperative clinical outcomes remains a topic of controversy. Therefore, we conducted this review to assess the impact of balanced solutions compared to normal saline on outcomes for kidney transplant patients.

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing balanced lower-chloride solutions to normal saline in renal transplant patients. Our main outcome of interest was delayed graft function (DGF). Additionally, we examined acid-base and electrolyte measurements, along with postoperative renal function. We computed relative risk (RR) using the Mantel-Haenszel test for binary outcomes, and mean difference (MD) for continuous data, and applied DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models to address heterogeneity. Furthermore, we performed a trial sequential analysis (TSA) for all outcomes.

Twelve RCTs comprising a total of 1668 patients were included; 832 (49.9%) were assigned to receive balanced solutions. Balanced crystalloids reduced the occurrence of DGF compared to normal saline, with RR of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.94), P = .005; I² = 0%. The occurrence was 25% (194 of 787) in the balanced crystalloids group and 34% (240 of 701) in the normal saline group. Moreover, our TSA supported the primary outcome result and suggests that the sample size was sufficient for our conclusion. End-of-surgery chloride (MD, -8.80 mEq·L -1 ; 95% CI, -13.98 to -3.63 mEq.L -1 ; P < .001), bicarbonate (MD, 2.12 mEq·L -1 ; 95% CI, 1.02-3.21 mEq·L -1 ; P < .001), pH (MD, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.04-0.07; P < .001), and base excess (BE) (MD, 2.41 mEq·L -1 ; 95% CI, 0.88-3.95 mEq·L -1 ; P = .002) significantly favored the balanced crystalloids groups and the end of surgery potassium (MD, -0.17 mEq·L -1 ; 95% CI, -0.36 to 0.02 mEq·L -1 ; P = .07) did not differ between groups. However, creatinine did not differ in the first (MD, -0.06 mg·dL -1 ; 95% CI, -0.38 to 0.26 mg·dL -1 ; P = .71) and seventh (MD, -0.06 mg·dL -1 ; 95% CI, -0.18 to 0.06 mg·dL -1 ; P = .30) postoperative days nor urine output in the first (MD, -1.12 L; 95% CI, -3.67 to 1.43 L; P = .39) and seventh (MD, -0.01 L; 95% CI, -0.45 to 0.42 L; P = .95) postoperative days.

Balanced lower-chloride solutions significantly reduce the occurrence of DGF and provide an improved acid-base and electrolyte control in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.