SMART-MED is a large, cluster-randomized, multiple-crossover trial of 0.9% saline versus physiologically-balanced isotonic crystalloids (Lactated Ringers or Plasma-Lyte© A) with regard to the incidence of major adverse kidney events by 30 days in patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit. Between June 2015 and April 2017, all patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit at Vanderbilt University medical center who are 18 years or older will be enrolled. The study will occur in one-month blocks. The ICU will be randomized to an initial fluid group (0.9% saline or physiologically balanced crystalloids). The assigned fluid will be used exclusively for all patients receiving isotonic crystalloid for the duration of the month-long block (except in the presence of pre-specified contraindications). The assigned study fluid will switch at the end of each month-long block such that half of the months are assigned to 0.9% saline and half of the months are assigned to physiologically balance fluid. It is anticipated that around 5,300 patients will be enrolled from the medical ICU during the study period. All aspects of study design, intervention, and data collection will be harmonized with an independent study addressing the same question in the non-medical intensive care units at Vanderbilt University during a similar study period (SMART-SURG). A pre-specified data analysis plan will dictate the harmonized analysis of SMART-MED and SMART-SURG.
