Hemodynamics, fluids & transfusion
Safety and efficacy of 6% hydroxyethyl starch in patients undergoing major surgery: The randomised controlled PHOENICS trial
Authors' conclusion
Peri-operative use of HES was noninferior to crystalloids in short-term renal function or a composite of mortality and major complications at 90 days.
Study context
- Population
- Patients aged 40 to 85 years, ASA II–III, undergoing elective abdominal surgery with expected blood loss at least 500 ml
- Participants
- 1,985 patients
- Comparison
- 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 vs crystalloid solution
- HESn = 977
- Crystalloid-onlyn = 981reference
- Primary endpoint
- Change from pre-operative to lowest cystatin C-based eGFR
- Follow-up
- First 3 postoperative days
Methodological detailsdouble-blind, non-inferiority, multicentre (53 sites, 10 European countries)
- Double-blind
- Non-inferiority
- Multicentre (53 sites, 10 European countries)
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Change in eGFR from baseline to minimum
HES
−3.4
mean · SD 17.7 · ml min −1 1.73 m −2
Crystalloid-only
−1.0
mean · SD 17.1 · ml min −1 1.73 m −2
P < 0.001
Secondary outcomes
Composite of mortality and major postoperative complications (key secondary) · 90 days
Any cause mortality · 1 year
Any cause mortality · 1 year
- Not significantly different
Safety
Safety endpoints including 90-day renal function
- No clinically relevant differences in any safety endpoint
Original publication
Safety and efficacy of 6% hydroxyethyl starch in patients undergoing major surgery: The randomised controlled PHOENICS trial. Eur J Anaesthesiol. Published 24 October 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →