Scandinavian Starch for Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Trial

* By tradition hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is used to obtain fast circulatory stabilisation in critically ill. * High molecular weight HES may, however, cause acute kidney failure in patients with severe sepsis. * Now the low molecular weight HES 130/0.4 is the preferred colloid in Scandinavian intensive care units (ICU) and 1st choice fluid for patients with severe sepsis. * HES 130/0.4 is largely unstudied in ICU patients. * This investigator-initiated Scandinavian multicentre trial will be conducted to assess the effects of HES 130/0.4 on mortality and endstage kidney failure in patients with severe sepsis. * The trial will provide important data to all clinicians who resuscitate septic patients.