Fluid Overload and Mortality in Adult Critical Care Patients-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Objective: Fluid administration in combination with the increase in vasopermeability induced by critical illness often results in significant fluid overload in critically ill patients. Recent research indicates that mortality is increased in patients who have received large volumes of fluids. We have systematically reviewed and synthesized the evidence on fluid overload and mortality in critically ill patients and have performed a meta-analysis of available data from observational studies.