Are fluid resuscitation strategies associated with hospital mortality in severely septic patients? A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background. Fluid resuscitation is the foundation of severe sepsis management as it is a key factor for optimizing cardiac output, and hence restoring hemodynamic stability and perfusion to the tissues. Objective. To examine for the association between quantity (primary), type (secondary) and method (secondary) of fluid administered in the first six hours after the identification of severe sepsis and hospital mortality. Conclusion. In this retrospective cohort study, quantity and type of fluid administered in the first six hours after the identification of severe sepsis were not associated with hospital mortality. However, there was a trend toward a reduction in hospital mortality for the group that received fluid boluses and fluid infusions as compared to fluid infusions alone. Future research is required to determine optimal fluid resuscitation practices for patients with severe sepsis.