Perioperative Plasma-Lyte use reduces the incidence of renal replacement therapy and hyperkalaemia following renal transplantation when compared with 0.9% saline: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant recipients often receive large volumes of intravenous fluid replacement in the peri-operative period. Administration of 0.9% saline has previously been associated with acidosis, hyperkalaemia and acute kidney injury. The perioperative use of physiologically balanced replacement fluids may reduce the incidence of post-operative renal replacement therapy and hyperkalaemia. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive renal transplants before and after a change in perioperative fluid prescription from 0.9% saline to Plasma-Lyte 148. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients were included in the study, 59 receiving exclusively 0.9% saline and 38 receiving exclusively Plasma-Lyte. Patients in the Plasma-Lyte group were less likely to require emergency postoperative dialysis than those receiving 0.9% saline [odds ratio (OR) 0.15 (95% confidence interval 0.03–0.48), P = 0.004], and these patients had more favourable biochemical parameters with less hyperkalaemia, less acidosis and better diuresis. Patients in the Plasma-Lyte group also had a shorter length of hospital stay (7 days versus 11 days; P < 0.0001) and better graft function at 3 months postoperatively (estimated glomerular filtration rate 51 versus 44 mL/min/1.73 m(2); P = 0.03); however, there was no difference in graft function at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma-Lyte in the perioperative period is safe in renal transplantation and is associated with a favourable biochemical profile, including a reduced incidence of hyperkalaemia, better diuresis and less frequent use of renal replacement therapy early after surgery. In patients receiving Plasma-Lyte, graft function was better at 3 months, but this difference did not persist up to 1 year after transplantation.