Shen fu injection for patients with septic shock: Protocol for an updated systematic review

BACKGROUND: Septic shock is a serious disease with high morbidity, which will lead to organ dysfunction. Shen fu injection (SFI) has been widely used for septic shock as a treatment in China. Many clinical trials have been reported that it could assess the efficacy and safety of SFI to cure septic shock and accelerate resuscitation. Reassessing the efficacy and safety of SFI as a treatment of patients with septic shock is the objective of this updated systematic review. METHODS: The following electronic databases major in English and Chinese will be conducted a systematic search until September 2018: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, and Wan-fang Database. Randomized controlled trials of SFI will be included. Review Manager 5.2 software will be used for assessment of risk of bias, data synthesis, and subgroup analysis. We will conduct the GRADE system to assess the quality of evidence, if possible. RESULTS: This study will provide a rational synthesis of current evidences for SFI on septic shock. CONCLUSION: We hope our research results will provide an objective and reliable evidence to patients, clinicians and healthcare policymakers who are concerning the treatment options of SFI in septic shock. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42016049332.