Table 1 Eligibility and exclusion criteria of this study

Study I

1. Patients who were 18 to 80 years of age.

2. Patients meet the criteria for sepsis which defined by the surviving sepsis campaign.

2.1 Patients had a documented or suspected infection

2.2 Patients had some of the following conditions:

2.2.1 Fever (>38.3 °C) or Hypothermia (<36 °C)

2.2.2 Heart rate >90 beats/min;

2.2.3 White blood cell count >12 × 10⁹/L or <4 × 10⁹/L

2.2.4 Tachypnea

2.2.5 Altered mental status

2.2.6 Significant edema or positive fluid balance (>20 mL/kg/24 h)

2.2.7 Plasma procalcitonin more than two SD above the normal value

2.2.8 Arterial hypoxemia (PaO₂/FiO₂ <300)

2.2.9 Creatinine increase >44.2 μmol/L

2.2.10 Arterial hypotension (SBP <90 mmHg, MAP <70 mmHg)

2.2.11 Coagulation abnormalities (INR >1.5 or APTT >60 s)

2.2.12 Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 × 10⁹/L)

2.2.13 Hyperbilirubinemia (plasma total bilirubin >70 mmol/L)

2.2.14 Hyperlactatemia (>1 mmol/L)

2.2.15 Decreased capillary refill or mottling

3. Patients whose platelet counts were under 100 × 10⁹/L.

Study II

1. Patients whose platelet counts were under 50 × 10⁹/L.

2. Patients meet the criteria for severe sepsis which defined by the surviving sepsis campaign.

2.1 Patients had sepsis-induced tissue hypoperfusion or organ dysfunctionn (any of the following thought to be due to the infection)

2.1.1 Sepsis-induced hypotension

2.1.2 Hyperlactatemia (>2 mmol/L)

2.1.3 Urine output <0.5 mL/kg/h for more than 2 h despite adequate fluid resuscitation

2.1.4 Acute lung injury with PaO₂/FiO₂ <250

2.1.5 Creatinine >2.0 mg/dL (176.8 mol/L)

2.1.6 Bilirubin >2 mg/dL (34.2 mol/L)

2.1.7 Coagulation abnormalities (INR >1.5)

2.1.8 Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 × 10⁹/L)