ICU fluid overload: could cutting salt save lives?

NCT ID NCT07189091

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University Hospital, Antwerp Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether using lower-salt intravenous fluids in ICU patients reduces the number of days they need life support like ventilators or dialysis. Researchers will compare a salt-free glucose solution for medication dilution and a low-salt maintenance fluid against the usual higher-salt fluids. The trial enrolls 640 critically ill adults expected to stay in the ICU for several days.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: lower-salt intravenous fluids (glucose 5% and NaCl 0.3% in glucose 3.3%)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could lead to a simple change in ICU fluid practices that helps patients recover faster and spend fewer days on life support.
What could go wrong: This is a single-center trial, so results may not apply everywhere. The benefit may be small or none, and lower-salt fluids could cause electrolyte imbalances in some patients.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute kidney injury Critical Illness Hyponatremia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CRITICAL CARE, INTENSIVE CARE CRITICAL ILLNESS FLUID ACCUMULATION FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE FLUID BALANCE OUTCOMES

Contacts and locations

Locations

Antwerp University Hopsital (UZA)
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Edegem, 2650, Belgium
ZAS Cadix
RECRUITING

Antwerp, 2030, Belgium
ZAS Middelheim
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Antwerp, 2020, Belgium
ZAS Paflijn
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Merksem, 2170, Belgium

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