Meta-analysis of colloids versus crystalloids in critically ill, trauma and surgical patients.

This new meta-analysis comparing colloids to crystalloids in critically ill, trauma and surgical patients confirms what we already know on the topic:
1. In the population studied, colloids did not increase mortality compared with crystalloids.
2. Hydroxyethyl starches appear to be nephrotoxic in patients with sepsis or septic shock

Philippe Van der Linden