Best Way to Give IV Fluids During Sickle Cell Pain Crises

This trial is testing two different approaches to giving intravenous (IV) fluids to adults with sickle cell disease who are hospitalized with a vaso-occlusive crisis—a sudden, severe pain episode. One approach uses a minimal amount of fluid to keep the IV line open, while the other approach gives a larger amount of fluid upfront followed by ongoing fluids. Researchers want to see if the smaller fluid approach works just as well as the larger approach for relieving pain and getting patients home faster.

Doctors have traditionally given large amounts of IV fluids during sickle cell pain crises, but there's growing evidence that this approach might not always be necessary and could potentially cause harm. This trial aims to find out if giving less fluid—while still keeping patients comfortable and safe—produces the same good results.