Impact of late fluid balance on clinical outcomes in the critically ill surgical and trauma population

PurposeManagement of fluid status in critically ill patients poses a significant challenge due to limited literature. This study aimed to determine the impact of late fluid balance management after initial adequate fluid resuscitation on in-hospital mortality for critically ill surgical and trauma patients.Materials and MethodsThis single-center retrospective cohort study included 197 patients who underwent surgical procedure within 24 hours of surgical intensive care unit admission. Patients with high fluid balance on postoperative day 7 (> 5 L) were compared with those with a low fluid balance (≤ 5 L) with a primary end point of in-hospital mortality. Subgroup analyses were performed based on diuretic administration, diuretic response, and type of surgery.ResultsHigh fluid balance was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality (30.2 vs 3%, P < .001) compared with low fluid balance; this relationship remained after multivariable regression analysis. High fluid balance was associated with increased mortality, independent of diuretic administration, diuretic response, and type of surgery.ConclusionsConsistent with previous literature, high fluid balance on postoperative day 7 was associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Patients who received and responded to diuretic therapy did not demonstrate improved clinical outcomes, which questions their use in the postoperative period.