Table 5

Outcome

Volume group

Dobutamine group

Cardiovascular complications

Acute heart failure

2

0

Pulmonary edema

8

3

Acute myocardial infarction

0

1

Cardiac arrhythmia

2

0

Mesenteric infarction

1

0

Number of patients with cardiovascular complications (%)

13 (52%)

4 (16%)*

Infectious complications

Pneumonia

5

7

Peritonitis

3

3

Urinary tract infection

1

2

Fistula

1

2

Severe sepsis/septic shock

7

4

Number of patients with infectious complications (%)

7 (28%)

12 (48%)

Other complications

Postoperative bleeding

1

0

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding

0

1

Acute renal failure

3

1

Acute respiratory failure

5

2

Number of patients with other complications (%)

9 (36%)

4 (16%)

Total number of complications

39

26

Number of patients with complications (%)

17(68%)

14(56%)

Number of achievers with complications (%)

14 (74%)

14 (58%)

C-reactive protein on day 1 (mg/dl)

18 (11-23)

13 (10-18)

Median duration of intensive care unit stay (days)

3 (2.0-6.0)

3(3.0-8.5)

Median duration of hospital stay (days)

14 (8.5-8.5)

20 (14.5-32)

Mortality rate

28 days

5 (20%)

2 (8%)

60 days

7 (28%)

2 (8%)

Data presented as the absolute value (%) or as the median (interquartile range). *P < 0.05 versus volume group.

Lobo et al. Critical Care 2006 10:R72   doi:10.1186/cc4913