Saline vs. Ringer's: which fluid saves more lives in septic shock?
NCT ID NCT03677102
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This large trial tested whether a lower-chloride fluid (Ringer's Lactate) reduces death and kidney injury compared to standard saline in 1,113 adults with septic shock. Participants received either fluid within 6 hours of hospital arrival. The study aims to settle a long-standing debate and guide emergency care worldwide.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Intravenous fluids (normal saline vs. Ringer's Lactate)
- What this could lead to
- If one fluid is better, it could become the standard for treating septic shock, potentially saving thousands of lives each year.
- What could go wrong
- This trial is already completed, but results may not show a clear winner. Even if one fluid is better, it won't cure sepsis—just improve management.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Brantford General Hospital
Brantford, Ontario, N3R 1G9, Canada
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CHU de Québec Université Laval
Québec, Quebec, G1J 1Z4, Canada
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Cape Breton Regional Hospital
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Centre de recherche du CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS de Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 5N4, Canada
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Centre intégré Universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord de l'île de Montréal
Montreal, Quebec, H4J 1C5, Canada
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Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec (CIUSSS MCQ)
Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
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Grey Nuns Community Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Halifax Infirmary
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Hamilton General Hospital
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Juravinski Hospital-Hamilton Health Sciences
Hamilton, Ontario, L8V 1C1, Canada
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King Abdulaziz Medical City- Riyadh (KAMC-R)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Kingston General Hospital
Kingston, Ontario, K7L 2V7, Canada
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Lakeridge Health
Oshawa, Ontario, L1G 2B9, Canada
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Lakeridge Health - Ajax Pickering
Ajax, Ontario, Canada
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London Health Sciences - University Hospital
London, Ontario, Canada
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London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital
London, Ontario, N6A 5W9, Canada
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Mount Sinai Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5, Canada
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Niagara Health, St Catharines Site
St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 0A9, Canada
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Royal University Hospital
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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St Joseph's Healthcare
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 4A6, Canada
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St Paul's Hospital
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Unity Health (St. Michael's Hospital)
Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada
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University of Calgary - Foothills Medical Centre
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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University of Calgary - Rockyview General Hospital
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Victoria General
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Windsor Regional Hospital - Ouellette Campus
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
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Windsor Regional Hospital -Metropolitan Campus
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
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