Table 1 Characteristics of included randomized trials

Falk et al., 1988 [9]

Septic shock

6% HES 450/0.7 or 5% albumin to 15 mm Hg target PAWP

Coagulation

Rackow et al., 1989 [7]

Severe sepsis and systemic hypoperfusion

10% HES 200/0.5 or 5% albumin to 15 mm Hg target PAWP or 2000 mL maximum

Cardiorespiratory function and coagulation

Boldt et al., 1995 [17,18]

Sepsis after major surgery

10% HES 200/0.5 or 20% albumin to 12–16 mm Hg target CVP, PCWP or both

Endothelial-related coagulation and platelet function

Boldt et al., 1996 [19]

Sepsis secondary to major general surgery

10% HES 200/0.5 or 20% albumin to 12–18 mm Hg target PCWP

Cardiorespiratory and circulatory variables

Boldt et al., 1996 [20]

Sepsis secondary to major surgery

6% HES 200/0.5, 20% albumin or pentoxifylline

Circulating soluble adhesion molecules

Boldt et al., 1996 [21]

Sepsis secondary to major surgery

10% HES 200/0.5 or 20% albumin to 10–15 mm Hg target PCWP

Circulatory variables

Boldt et al., 1998 [22]

Postoperative sepsis

10% HES 200/0.5 or 20% albumin to 12–15 mm Hg target PCWP

Hemodynamics, laboratory data and organ function

Asfar et al., 2000 [23]

Sepsis and hypovolemia in ventilated and hemodynamically controlled patients

500 mL 6% HES 200/0.62 or 4% succinylated modified fluid gelatin

Hemodynamics and gastric mucosal acidosis

Schortgen et al., 2001 [24]

Severe sepsis or septic shock

6% HES 200/0.62 up to 4 days or 80 mL·kg^-1 cumulative dose or 3% gelatin

ARF

Molnár et al., 2004 [25]

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

Hemodynamics, EVLW and oxygenation

Palumbo et al., 2006 [26]

Severe sepsis in mechanically ventilated patients

6% HES 130/0.4 or 20% albumin to maintain PCWP of 15–18 mm Hg

Hemodynamic and oxygenation parameters

Brunkhorst et al., 2008 [27]

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

Morbidity and mortality