Table 1 General patients' characteristics

Number of patients

105

Age, years

63 ± 12

Sex ratio, male/female

71/34

Mechanically ventilated patients, %

86

Baseline plasma lactate concentration, mmol/L

3.8 ± 1.2

SOFA

12 ± 2

SAPS II

57 ± 12

Prior hypertension, n

29

Prior cardiomyopathy, n

30

Baseline left ventricular ejection fraction, %

49 ± 10

Origin of sepsis

Lung, n

83

Abdomen, n

10

Urinary tract, n

8

Others, n

4