Table 1.
Baseline Characteristics of the participants
| Standard rate (n = 48) | Limited rate (n = 48) | |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 72 (16) | 70(18) |
| Sex (female) | 18 (38%) | 19(40%) |
| Body weight (kg) | 49.3 (7.9) | 54.8 (11.8) |
| Charlson comorbidity index | 5 (4, 6.5) | 5 (3, 7) |
| Comorbidities | ||
| Cerebrovascular disease | 30 (63%) | 23 (48%) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 21 (44%) | 20 (42%) |
| Malignancy | 15 (31%) | 18 (38%) |
| Ischemic heart disease | 3 (6%) | 8 (17%) |
| Chronic kidney disease | 1 (2%) | 5 (10%) |
| Hypoperfusion defined by | ||
| Lactate ≥ 2 mmol/L | 44 (90%) | 42 (86%) |
| Hemodynamic instability | 23 (48%) | 13 (27%) |
| Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 105.9 (32.8) | 114.3 (29.8) |
| Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 58.4 (20.2) | 66.5 (17.7) |
| Mean arterial pressure (mmHg) | 74.6 (22.7) | 82.3 (19.9) |
| Body temperature (degree Celsius) | 38.5 (1.3) | 38.1 (1.2) |
| Heart rate (/min) | 117.8 (28.1) | 119.6 (24.3) |
| Respiratory rate (/min) | 24.3 (7.1) | 24.0 (6.3) |
| Ambient air pulse oximetry (%) | 90.2 (12.0) | 93.3 (7.7) |
| Currently use systemic steroid | 5 (10%) | 12 (25%) |
| APACHE II | 18.0 (13.0, 24.5) | 15.5 (11.0, 20.0) |
| SOFA | 5(2,6) | 4(2,5) |
| Sepsis* | 43 (90%) | 43 (90%) |
| Septic shock* | 11 (23%) | 6 (13%) |
| Normal to increased LVEF† | 44 (92%) | 41 (85%) |
| Lactate (mmol/L) | 4.9(3.2) | 4.4(2.4) |
| Baseline NT-proBNP (pg/ml)‡ | 950.7 (435.5, 1946) | 1188.5 (366, 2495.5) |
| P/F ratio at baseline (mmHg) | 364.9 (174.0) | 328.7 (134.3) |
| Intravenous fluid before randomization (ml) | ||
| None | 40 (83%) | 39 (79%) |
| 200 | 5 (10%) | 5 (10%) |
| 201–500 | 3 (6%) | 5 (10%) |
| Site of infection | ||
| Respiratory tract | 23 (48%) | 19 (40%) |
| Urinary tract | 10 (21%) | 10 (21%) |
| Intraabdominal | 10 (21%) | 10 (21%) |
| Bloodstream | 2 (4%) | 1 (2%) |
| Central nervous system | 0 | 1 (2%) |
| Other/unknown | 3 (6%) | 7 (15%) |
| Baseline syndecan-1 level (ng/ml)§ | ||
| Median (Q1, Q3) | 205 (136, 378) | 222(126, 759) |
| Geometric mean (95% CI) | 258 (179–373) | 312 (217–451) |
Data indicate the mean (SD), median (Q1, Q3), or n (%) unless otherwise stated
APACHE Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation, SOFA Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, LVEF left ventricular ejection fraction
*According to the sepsis-3 definition [16].
†According to the qualitative LVEF estimations [17].
‡Six data points are missing in the standard-rate group and four are missing in the limited-rate group due to administrative reasons
§One data point is missing in the limited infusion rate group due to administrative reasons