Effects of intraoperative and early postoperative normal saline or Plasma-Lyte 148 (R) on hyperkalaemia in deceased donor renal transplantation: a double-blind randomized trial

Abstract

Background: Administration of saline in renal transplantation is associated with hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis, but the effect of normal saline (NS) on the risk of hyperkalaemia or postoperative graft function is uncertain. Methods: We compared NS with Plasma-Lyte 148® (PL) given during surgery and for 48 h after surgery in patients undergoing deceased donor renal transplantation. The primary outcome was hyperkalaemia within 48 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes were need for hyperkalaemia treatment, change in acid-base status, and graft function. Results: Twenty-five subjects were randomized to NS and 24 to PL. The incidence of hyperkalaemia in the first 48 h after surgery was higher ..