OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of modified Qianyang Pellet (MQYP) on extravascular lung water and its correlated factors at the early fluid resuscitation stage of septic shock.

METHODSForty-eight patients with septic shock were randomly assigned to the treatment group (26 patients) and the control group (22 patients). They were treated with basic treatment combined with fluid resuscitation until the central venous pressure (CVP) reached > or = 8 mm Hg. Besides, patients in the treatment group received MQYP additionally. The haemodynamic indices, including CVP, cardiac index (CI), extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI), and oxygenation index (PaO2/ FiO2) were monitored at 8 (T8), 16 (T16) and 24 h (T24) after ending fluid resuscitation, and the 28-day mortality was observed.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, CI, GEDVI and PaO2/FiO2 increased significantly at T8, T16 and T24, while EVLWI and 28-day mortality lowered in the treatment group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). But the difference in terms of CVP and SVRI between the two groups at corresponding time points was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of the fluid resuscitation and basic treatment, MQYP could further improve CI, GEDVI and PaO2/FiO2, decrease EVLWI and 28-day mortality, but showed no effect on CVP or SVRI at the early fluid resuscitation stage of septic shock.