PURPOSE

Fluid resuscitation is a key intervention in sepsis, but the type of fluids used varies widely. The aim of this meta-analysis is to determine whether resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starches (HES) compared with crystalloids affects outcomes in patients with sepsis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to February 2013. Studies that compared resuscitation with HES versus crystalloids in septic patients, and reported incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), renal replacement therapy (RRT), transfusion of red blood cell (RBC) or fresh frozen plasma and/or mortality. Three investigators independently extracted data into uniform risk ratio measures. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework was used to determine the quality of the evidence.

RESULTS

Ten trials (4624 patients) were included. An increased incidence of AKI (risk ratio [RR], 1.24 [95% Confidence Interval {CI}, 1.13-1.36], and need of RRT (RR, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.17-1.57]) was found in patients who received resuscitation with HES. Resuscitation with HES was also associated with increased transfusion of RBC (RR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.01-1.93]), but not fresh frozen plasma (RR, 1.47 [95% CI, 0.97-2.24]). Furthermore, while intensive care unit mortality (RR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.43-1.26]), and 28-day mortality (RR, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.96-1.28]) was not different, resuscitation with HES was associated with higher 90-day mortality (RR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.04-1.26]).

CONCLUSIONS

Fluid resuscitation practice with HES as in the meta-analyzed studies is associated with increased an increase in AKI incidence, need of RRT, RBC transfusion, and 90-day mortality in patients with sepsis. Therefore, we favor the use of crystalloids over HES for resuscitation in patients with sepsis.