Table 1 Characteristics and demographic data of study population

Gender (M/F)

16/21

Weight (kg)

77 ± 17.2

Height (cm)

166.9 ± 7.6

Body surface area (m ² )

1.88 ± 0.21

Body mass index (Kg m ^-2 )

25.9 (23.4 to 31.2)

APACHE II score at admission

18.8 ± 7.3

ICU survival rate (%)

24 (65%)

Plasma lactate level, mmol/L

2.79 ± 1.82

Ventilator settings

Tidal volume, mL/Kg predicted body weight

8.1 ± 1.2

Respiratory rate, b.p.m.

20 (18 to 20)

Total PEEP, cm H ₂ O

6.4 (4 to 8)

Mean airway pressure, cmH ₂ O

12 (9.4 to 13)

Peak airway pressure, cmH ₂ O

31.1 ± 6.2

FiO ₂ ,%

0.73 ± 0.2

Vasoactive agents, n; dose (μg kg ^-1 min ^-1 )

Norepinephrine

22; 0.23 (0.08 to 0.33)

Dobutamine

6; 6.2 (3.3 to 9.5)

Analgesia and sedative drugs

Fentanyl, n; dose (μg kg ^-1 h ^-1 )

24; 1.58 ± 0.53

Remifentanyl, n; dose (μg kg ^-1 min ^-1 )

13; 0.14 ± 0.04

Midazolam, n; dose (mg kg ^-1 h ^-1 )

24; 0.09 ± 0.03

Propofol, n; dose (mg kg ^-1 min ^-1 )

2; 0.79 (0.7 to 0.89)

ARDS, n

3

Days on mechanical ventilation

1 (1 to 1)

ICU length of stay, days

8 (5 to 16)

Reason for fluid administration, n (%)

Hypotension

11 (30%)

Oliguria

30 (81%)

Decrease vasoactive dosage

19 (51%)

Sepsis/Septic shock

26 (70%)

Abdominal

11 (30%)

Pulmonary

10 (27%)

Urological

2 (7%)

Neurological

2 (7%)

Other

1 (3%)