Table 1

Characteristics of included randomized trials

Trial
n
Indication
Fluid Regimen
Follow-Up
Endpoints

Falk et al., 1988 [9]
12
Septic shock
6% HES 450/0.7 or 5% albumin to 15 mm Hg target PAWP
24 h
Coagulation
Rackow et al., 1989 [7]
20
Severe sepsis and systemic hypoperfusion
10% HES 200/0.5 or 5% albumin to 15 mm Hg target PAWP or 2000 mL maximum
45 min
Cardiorespiratory function and coagulation
Boldt et al., 1995 [17,18]
30
Sepsis after major surgery
10% HES 200/0.5 or 20% albumin to 12–16 mm Hg target CVP, PCWP or both
5 days
Endothelial-related coagulation and platelet function
Boldt et al., 1996 [19]
30
Sepsis secondary to major general surgery
10% HES 200/0.5 or 20% albumin to 12–18 mm Hg target PCWP
5 days
Cardiorespiratory and circulatory variables
Boldt et al., 1996 [20]
42
Sepsis secondary to major surgery
6% HES 200/0.5, 20% albumin or pentoxifylline
5 days
Circulating soluble adhesion molecules
Boldt et al., 1996 [21]
28
Sepsis secondary to major surgery
10% HES 200/0.5 or 20% albumin to 10–15 mm Hg target PCWP
5 days
Circulatory variables
Boldt et al., 1998 [22]
150
Postoperative sepsis
10% HES 200/0.5 or 20% albumin to 12–15 mm Hg target PCWP
5 days
Hemodynamics, laboratory data and organ function
Asfar et al., 2000 [23]
34
Sepsis and hypovolemia in ventilated and hemodynamically controlled patients
500 mL 6% HES 200/0.62 or 4% succinylated modified fluid gelatin
60 min
Hemodynamics and gastric mucosal acidosis
Schortgen et al., 2001 [24]
129
Severe sepsis or septic shock
6% HES 200/0.62 up to 4 days or 80 mL·kg-1 cumulative dose or 3% gelatin
34 days
ARF
Molnár et al., 2004 [25]
30
Septic shock with hypovolemia and acute lung injury
6% HES 200/0.5 or 4% modified fluid gelatin to achieve ITBVI > 900 mL·m-2
60 min
Hemodynamics, EVLW and oxygenation
Palumbo et al., 2006 [26]
20
Severe sepsis in mechanically ventilated patients
6% HES 130/0.4 or 20% albumin to maintain PCWP of 15–18 mm Hg
5 days
Hemodynamic and oxygenation parameters
Brunkhorst et al., 2008 [27]
537
Severe sepsis or septic shock
10% HES 200/0.5 (to 20 mL·kg-1·day-1 limit) or Ringer's lactate to target of ≥ 8 mm Hg CVP
90 days
Morbidity and mortality

Abbreviations: ARF, acute renal failure; CVP, central venous pressure; EVLW, extravascular lung water; HES, hydroxyethyl starch; ICU, intensive care unit; ITBVI, intrathoracic blood volume index; PAWP, pulmonary arterial wedge pressure; PCWP, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

For trials with more than one indication, includes only patients with sepsis.

HES solutions specified by molecular weight/molar substitution.

Wiedermann BMC Emergency Medicine 2008 8:1   doi:10.1186/1471-227X-8-1