Reiterer C, Kabon B, Taschner A, et al. - In this sub-study, researchers investigated if and how a goal-directed crystalloid vs a goal-directed colloid fluid regimen affects postoperative maximum NT-proBNP concentration. Further, they examined the study groups for the incidence of myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS). Random assignment of 30 patients to receive additional intravenous fluid boluses of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and 30 patients to receive lactated Ringer’s solution was performed. Oesophageal Doppler-according to a previously published algorithm guided intraoperative fluid management. Among the 56 analyzed patients, no significant difference was observed in postoperative maximum NT-proBNP between the colloid group and the crystalloid group during the first 2 postoperative days. Findings thereby suggest that goal-directed colloid administration did not reduce postoperative maxNT-proBNP concentration as compared with goal-directed crystalloid administration.