Futier E, Garot M, Godet T, et al. - Researchers performed a Multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial to assess the impact of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 compared with 0.9% saline for intravascular volume expansion on mortality and postoperative complications after major abdominal surgery. In this trial, they enrolled 775 adult individuals at increased risk of postoperative kidney injury undergoing major abdominal surgery at 20 university hospitals in France between February 2016 and July 2018; the final follow-up was in October 2018. The use of HES for volume replacement therapy in comparison with 0.9% saline resulted in no significant difference in a composite result of death or major postoperative complications within 14 days after surgery among individuals at risk of postoperative kidney injury undergoing major abdominal surgery. In such individuals, these data do not promote the use of HES for volume replacement therapy.