Fluid type and volume reduce risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis and length of hospital stay in high-risk patients: a secondary analysis of the INDIEH trial

Background and study aims Impact of intravenous fluid administration on prophylaxis against post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) has not been rigorously evaluated among patients at high-risk for PEP. Patients and methods Effect of volume and type of fluid administered on PEP incidence was studied through a secondary analysis of high-risk patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangopancreatography (ERCP) as a part of a randomized controlled trial in which all patients received rectal indomethacin. Periprocedural fluid was defined as fluid infused during and after ERCP. Results A total 960 patients were randomized during the trial, of whom 476 (49.6 %) received periprocedural fluids (mean volume = 1245 mL [± 629]). There was a trend towards a lower incidence of PEP in patients who received periprocedural fluid vs. those who did not (5.2 % vs. 8.0 %, P = 0.079). Among those receiving fluids, those who did not develop PEP received a higher mean volume of fluid vs. who developed PEP (1012 ± 725 mL vs. 752 ± 783 mL, P = 0.036). Among 174 patients (37 %) who received LR, patients who did not develop PEP received a higher mean volume of LR vs. those who developed PEP (570 ± 559 mL vs. 329 ± 356 mL, P = 0.006). Length of hospital stay decreased as the volume of periprocedural volume administration increased (r = 0.16, P  Conclusion Higher fluid volume and lactated Ringerʼs use during the periprocedural period was associated with a decreased risk of PEP and length of hospital stay beyond rectal indomethacin in high risk patients.