Microcirculation diaphragm. (A) Median density of microvascular vessels. *P = 0.015. (B) Median flow index of the diaphragm at the end of the experiment (6 h after baseline). The data are expressed as the median with whiskers representing the minimum and maximum. Shown are representative still images of the diaphragmatic microcirculation in the liberal (n = 7; C) and restrictive (n = 7; D) fluid strategy. (D) shows fewer small vessels (mostly capillaries) than (C). Arrows, venule; triangles, capillary.