In concordance with a suggestion of a recent Editorial (Intensive Care Med (2014) 40:743-745), the Original and (its minor revision to) the Final Form of the Study Protocol detailing the Pre-specified Study Planning (which explains the reason for any prior changes in the current registration data) can be found at the bottom of the following webpage: http://www.evaggelismos-hosp.gr/index.php/istoriko-eepne