Relative risk in pairwise comparisons. Here relative risk less than 1 implies improved survival to discharge, whereas more than 1 implies increased risk of death. With or without colloids, the receipt of balanced crystalloids is consistently associated with better survival (95% CI, <1 in multiple risk-adjusted analyses). The impact of colloids on mortality is not consistent (95% CI includes 1 for certain estimates). Bal = balanced crystalloids; Col = colloids; Sal = saline.