OCOSO2: study protocol for a single-blinded, multicentre, randomised controlled trial assessing a central venous oxygen saturation-based goal-directed therapy to reduce postoperative complications in high-risk patients after elective major surgery

BACKGROUND: Fluid loading-based goal-directed therapy is a cornerstone of anaesthesia management in major surgery. Its widespread application has contributed to a significant improvement in perioperative morbidity and mortality. In theory, only hypovolemic patients should receive fluid therapy. However, to achieve such a diagnosis, a surrogate marker of cardiac output adequacy must be used. Current methods of fluid loading-based goal-directed therapy do not assess cardiac output adequacy. Nowadays, new devices make it possible to continuously monitor central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO(2)) and therefore, to assess the adequacy of perioperative cardiac output during surgery. In major surgery, ScvO(2)-based goal-directed therapy can be used to enhance fluid therapy and improve patient outcomes. METHODS: We designed a prospective, randomised, single-blinded, multicentre controlled superiority study with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients to be included will be high-risk major surgery patients (> 50 years old, ASA score > 2, major intra-abdominal or intra-thoracic surgery > 90 min). Patients in the control group will undergo standard fluid loading-based goal-directed therapy, as recommended by the guidelines. Patients in the intervention group will have ScvO(2)-based goal-directed therapy and receive fluid loading only if fluid responsiveness and cardiac output inadequacy are present. The primary outcome will be the Comprehensive Complication Index on day five postoperatively. DISCUSSION: This study is the first to address the issue of cardiac output adequacy in goal-directed therapy. Our hypothesis is that cardiac output optimisation during major surgery achieved by continuous monitoring of the ScvO(2) to guide fluid therapy will result in a reduction of postoperative complications as compared with current goal-directed fluid therapy practices. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03828565. Registered on February 4, 2019. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-023-07689-z.