Effects of maintaining normal plasma colloid osmotic pressure on renal function and excretion of sodium and water after major surgery. A randomized study

Abstract

A prospective, randomized study of patients undergoing abdominal aortic surgery was undertaken to determine the effects of maintaining normal plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COPp) on postoperative renal function and excretion of water and electrolytes. Two groups of 13 patients were given whole blood transfusions to replace blood loss. One group (ALB) received 80 g albumin on the day of operation and 20 g albumin the following three days. The other group (NON-ALB) received no extra albumin. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) did not change significantly from preoperative values on the first or fourth postoperative day in any of the groups. The differences between the groups were non-significant. COPp could not be correlated to either GFR or sodium or fluid balances. Postoperative sodium and water retention was found to depend on the amount of infused sodium. Unexplained fluid shifts to a "third space" did not occur. Administration of albumin in addition to quantitative blood loss replacement is unnecessary and expensive.