Double Blinded, Randomized Trial, Comparing Intravenous Bolus of 50 mg of Hydrocortisone Every 6 Hours for 7 Days With a Continuous Infusion of 300 mg Per Day of Hydrocortisone 300-mg Group During 5 Days in the Treatment of Septic Shock.
Double Blinded, Randomized Trial, Comparing Intravenous Bolus of 50 mg of Hydrocortisone Every 6 Hours for 7 Days With a Continuous Infusion of 300 mg Per Day of Hydrocortisone 300-mg Group During 5 Days in the Treatment of Septic Shock.
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:
Exclusion Criteria: