We performed a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, pilot study in four adult medical intensive care units. Patients presenting septic shock were rapidly administered one of two regimens of hydrocortisone, either a 50-mg intravenous bolus every six hours during seven days (200-mg group) or a 100-mg initial bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 300 mg daily for five days (300-mg group). Hydrocortisone was stopped abruptly at the end of treatment.

Hydrocortisone hemisuccinate (Hydrocortisone Upjohn) was supplied as a powder in 100 mg vials to be reconstituted with 2 ml of sterile water diluent. The placebo was saline serum supplied as 10 ml ampoules. The study drugs were administered according to two protocols. In the 200-mg group, patients received an intravenous bolus of 50 mg of hydrocortisone every six hours for seven days associated with a continuous infusion of placebo for five days. In the 300-mg group, patients received an initial bolus of 100 mg of hydrocortisone followed by a continuous infusion of 300 mg per day for five days associated with a bolus of placebo every six hours for seven days. In the two groups, hydrocortisone was stopped abruptly at the end of treatment. The investigators had the choice or resuming hydrocortisone at the end of the fifth day if deemed necessary.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients over 18 years old
• septic shock in accordance with the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine Consensus Committee criteria. Septic shock was managed in accordance with the 2004 edition of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines.
• no minimal vasopressor dose was needed to enter the trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

• medical history of adrenal insufficiency
• ongoing corticosteroid treatment
• pregnancy

The data are available for additional analysis