Ringer lactate versus saline solution for resuscitation of sepsis and septic shock

BACKGROUND: Sepsis and septic shock are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Fluid resuscitation is a cornerstone of therapy. The aim of this study was to compare saline solution to Ringer lactate in resuscitation of patients with sepsis and septic shock.METHODS: We randomly assigned patients who had been admitted to the emergency department for sepsis or septic shock to receive either ringer lactate or normal saline for intravascular-fluid resuscitation. The primary outcome measure was in-hospital death from any cause. Second outcomes were requirement of mechanical ventilation and worsening of renal function.RESULTS: Among the 84 patients, 35 receive Ringer Lactate and 49 saline solution. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. There were 8 deaths in the Ringer Lactate group, as compared with 28 deaths in the saline group (27.6% versus 63%; P=0.003). There were no significant differences between the groups in need of mechanical ventilation (4.5±6.1 and 4.3±5.7, respectively; P=0.74), or worsening of renal function.CONCLUSIONS: Patients with sepsis or septic shock resuscitated using lactated Ringer had a lower mortality than those resuscitated with 0.9% NaCl solution.