UltraSound Evaluation of Fluid tOleRanCE for Acute Kidney Injury (USE-the-FORCE)

Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Acute Kidney Injury

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: Ultrasound evaluation of fluid tolerance

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06411080

2025-12250

Details and patient eligibility

About

Fluid expansion with isotonic crystalloids is a first-line intervention in the treatment of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). While it is generally accepted that the timely correction of kidney hypoperfusion will minimize the extent of injury as well as potentially facilitate recovery, there are potential harms involved in indiscriminate administration of intravenous fluids. Although anticipating fluid tolerance is part of the clinical evaluation of a patient for whom intravenous fluid therapy is considered, it has been suggested that using Point-Of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) may enable the early identification of patients with a high-risk of congestive complications and guide clinical decisions with greater precision[1]. However, it has not been shown that providing this information in the context of AKI result in a change in management or a prevention of complications.

This single-center pilot randomized controlled trial aim to determine the feasibility of comparing a management including a POCUS evaluation of fluid tolerance to usual care in non-critically ill patients with AKI. In the intervention group, a POCUS evaluation will be performed and interpreted by experienced staff producing a report that will be presented to the attending care team. This assessment will be repeated 48-72 hours later. The primary aim of the study will be to establish the feasibility of this intervention. Secondary objectives will include determining the difference between the intervention arm and the control arm in relationship with fluid administration, diuretic use, evolution of kidney function, and intensification of care.

Enrollment: 80 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Adults ≥ 18 year-old
2. Admitted to the hospital
3. Acute kidney injury defined by the KDIGO criteria[48]
4. Fluid expansion is considered by attending nephrologist or already ongoing

Exclusion criteria

1. Admitted to the intensive care unit
2. Known stage 5 chronic kidney disease according to the KDIGO classification receiving renal replacement therapy or not.
3. Renal replacement therapy for AKI has been initiated or is planned within 24 hours

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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80 participants in 2 patient groups

Management with ultrasound information

Experimental group

Description:

An ultrasound report will be provided to the attending care team. The report will contain information related to abdominal and thoracic ultrasound exams with expert interpretation regarding anticipated risks of fluid administration.

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Ultrasound evaluation of fluid tolerance

Usual care

No Intervention group

Description:

Usual care without information from Point-Of-Care ultrasound assessment of fluid tolerance.