LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of fluid bolus therapy using 20% albumin versus crystalloid on fluid balance, hemodynamic parameters, and intensive care unit (ICU) treatment effects in post-cardiac surgery patients. DESIGN Sequential period open-label pilot study. SETTING University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS One hundred adult cardiac surgery patients who were prescribed fluid bolus therapy to correct hypotension or perceived hypovolemia or to optimize cardiac index during the first 24 hours in the ICU. INTERVENTIONS The first 50 patients were treated with crystalloid fluid bolus therapy in the first period (control), and 50 patients with up to 2 treatments of 100 mL of 20% albumin fluid bolus therapy in the second period (intervention), followed by crystalloid therapy if needed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Demographic characteristics were similar at baseline. The intervention was associated with a less positive median fluid balance in the first 24 hours (albumin: 1,100 [650-1,960] v crystalloid: 1,970 [1,430-2,550] p = 0.001), fewer episodes of fluid bolus therapy (3 [2-5] v 5 [4-7]; p < 0.0001) and a lesser volume of fluid bolus therapy (700 [200-1,450] v 1,500 mL/24 h [1,100-2,250]; p < 0.0001). The intervention also was associated with a decreased median overall dose of norepinephrine in the first 24 hours of ICU stay (19 [0-52] v 47 µg/kg/24 hours [0-134]; p = 0.025) and shorter median time to cessation of norepinephrine (17 [5-28] v 28 hours [20-48]; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Post-cardiac surgery fluid bolus therapy with 20% albumin when compared with crystalloid fluid resulted in less positive fluid balance as well as several hemodynamic and potential ICU treatment advantages.