[RESULTS] Mortality rates in the HES versus Ringer 's groups at 6 months were 53.3 ( 212/398 patients ) versus 47.5 % ( 190/400 ) [ relative risk 1.12 ; 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) 0.98-1 .29 ; P = 0.10 ] , respectively ; at 1 year , 56.0 ( 223/398 ) versus 51.5 % ( 206/400 ) ( 1.09 ; 95 % CI 0.96-1 .24 ; P = 0.20 ) , respectively ; at the time of longest follow-up , 59.8 ( 238/398 ) versus 56.3 % ( 225/400 ) ( 1.06 ; 95 % CI 0.94-1 .20 ; P = 0.31 ) , respectively .