NCT07188766

Efficacy of Liberal Versus Restricted IV Fluid Approach in the Management of Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Crisis

Fluid Management in Sickle Cell Disease Vaso-occlusive Crisis: Restrictive Versus Liberal Strategies: A Randomized Controlled Trial (FLASC Trial)

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 394 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent inherited blood disorder characterized by vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), which lead to severe pain and complications. Despite hydration being a cornerstone of VOC management, the optimal fluid strategy remains uncertain. This study evaluates restrictive versus liberal fluid management strategies in patients with acute VOC. This multi-center, open-label, non-inferiority RCT will enroll patients with SCD presenting with acute VOC. Participants will be randomized to either a restrictive or liberal intravenous fluid management protocol. Primary outcome is pain score reduction. Secondary outcomes include time to pain resolution, ED length of stay, hospital admission rate, cumulative opioid dose, adverse events (incidence of fluid overload, pulmonary congestion), acute chest syndrome, incidence of acute kidney injury, revisit rates within 72 hours of ED discharge, need for intensive care or high-dependency unit admission, need for additional interventions, and 28 days overall mortality. Data will be analyzed using intention-to-treat principles. We hypothesize that a restrictive fluid strategy will achieve non-inferior pain control compared to a liberal strategy, while minimizing fluid-related complications. This study will provide evidence to inform clinical guidelines for fluid management in SCD patients experiencing VOCs.

Detailed description

This study is a prospective, non-inferiority, open-label, multicenter randomized-controlled trial (RCT) conducted in the emergency departments (EDs) of tertiary care hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The primary objective is to compare two fluid management strategies- restrictive (intervention) vs. liberal (control) in adult sickle cell disease (SCD) patients hospitalized for VOC. The study evaluates whether a restrictive fluid approach is non-inferior to a liberal strategy in terms of pain resolution, hospitalization duration, and other clinical outcomes. Patients will be randomized upon ED admission, and their assigned fluid regimen will be administered within the first hour. Clinical teams will monitor outcomes throughout hospitalization or up to 28 days post-enrollment. Study Population 1. Recruitment Screening: All patients admitted to the ED with VOC will be screened for eligibility. Consent Model: A priori informed written consent will be obtained from conscious, coherent patients or substitute decision-makers. 2. Inclusion Criteria Age \>18 years with confirmed SCD diagnosis. Presenting with VOC requiring hospitalization. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) \>5 Willingness to participate and provide informed consent. 3. Exclusion Criteria Requiring specialized IVF management per the physician's discretion. Cardiac/Renal Conditions: Congestive heart failure (CHF) or symptomatic systolic heart failure. Patients with ESRD on chronic dialysis. Hemodynamic Instability: Shock (SBP \<100 mmHg or MAP \<65) with hypoperfusion signs. Other Exclusions: Known/suspected pregnancy. Prior enrollment in this trial within the last 30 days. Concurrent enrollment in another trial affecting fluid management. Inability to obtain IV access. Trial Intervention 1. Screening \& Randomization Screening occurs upon ED admission; evaluations must precede randomization. A screening log will track eligible vs. randomized patients. 2. Informed Consent An a priori consent model is used due to the conscious-coherent state of most SCD patients in VOC. Efforts will be made to obtain consent immediately from the patient or surrogate. 3. Intervention Arms A. Intervention (Restrictive)Keep-vein-open (KVO) rate only (minimal fluids to maintain IV patency). No additional IV fluids administered. B. Control (Liberal) 20 mL/kg IV bolus (NS or LR over 1 hour) + maintenance fluids (1.5-2 mL/kg/day). Initiation: Both regimens starts within 1 hour of ED admission and continue until ED discharge. Hospitalized Patients: Pain scores (NPRS) recorded at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Total fluid intake documented at hospital discharge.

Conditions

• SCD
• Vaso Occlussive Crisis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Sodium Chloride (NaCl) 0.9 %	Keep vein open rate
DRUG	Sodium Chloride (NaCl) 0.9 %	IV bolus of 20 mL/kg of normal saline over 1 hour, followed by maintenance fluids at 1.5-2 ml/kg times the calculated daily maintenance requirements

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-10-05
• Primary completion: 2028-08-01
• Completion: 2028-10-01
• First posted: 2025-09-23
• Last updated: 2026-03-18

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Saudi Arabia