Unlike the previously described trials that evaluated the association between fluid balance and mortality, a prospective,multicenter observational study set out to characterize the associated effect of fluid volume on outcomes.Evaluated patients(n ¼ 164) had septic shock and were treated in an ICU. Fluid type and volume were collected daily. On day 1 of shock treatment, the overall median amount of fluid administered per patient was 4000 mL (interquartile range: 2.3 to 6300 mL);therefore, patients were separated into a lower volume(4000 mL) group. At day 1,there was no difference in 90-day mortality between groups (lower: 46% vs higher: 55%; P ¼ .27). Ninety-five patients were still being treated for septic shock on day 3 and received an overall median of 7500 mL (4300 to 10 800 mL) of IV fluid by the end of day 3. Patients in the lower volume (