Table 2.
The source of bias in terms of patient population and methodology of included trials
| Rivers et al | ProCESS, ARISE and ProMISe | |
|---|---|---|
| Illness severity heterogeneity* | ||
| Fluid challenge before enrolment | 20 to 30 mL/kg | 1000 mL |
| Blood lactate levels at baseline, mmol/L | 6.9 | 4.2–5.1 |
| APACHE II score at baseline | 20.4 | 15.8–20.7 |
| ScvO2, at baseline, % | 49.2 | NR |
| ScvO2, 0–6 h, % | 66 | 75.9† |
| Mechanical ventilation 0–6 h, % | 53.8 | 19.0–22.4 |
| 28-day mortality | 49.2% | 15.9–24.5% |
| Methodological differences | ||
| CVC, %‡ | 100 | 50.9–61.9 |
| Corticosteroid use | None | 8–37% |
| Antibiotics treatment | After enrolment | Before enrolment |
| Treatment in control group | Well-defined | Vague |
| Blinding | Double blinded | Unblinded to the ICU clinicians |
| Time of conduction | 1997–2000 | 2008–2014 (EGDT recommendation in SSC Guidelines and the sepsis six) |
*The data in control groups.
†The data in the EGDT group in ARISE.
‡The central venous catheterisation in control group: standard therapy in Rivers et al and usual care in the trio of trials.
CVC, central venous catheterisation; EGDT, early goal-directed therapy; NR, not reported; ScvO2, central venous oxygen saturation; SSC, Surviving Sepsis Campaign.