Effect of Early Administration of Albumin 20% Versus Crystalloid

Overview

Sepsis and septic shock are global health problems, leading to a high mortality rate. They are often associated with extremely low blood pressure and multiple organ dysfunctions, which are the main causes of death in critically ill patients. Fluid resuscitation is one of the most critical treatments for patients with sepsis and septic shock. An early administration of an appropriate fluid to patients is considered the most effective way to increase blood pressure, improve tissue perfusion, and save their lives. Crystalloid fluids are a subset of intravenous solutions composed of mineral salts and other small, water-soluble molecules, including normal, isotonic or hypertonic saline, and various buffered solutions.

Crystalloid fluids are a subset of intravenous solutions composed of mineral salts and other small, water-soluble molecules, including normal, isotonic or hypertonic saline, and various buffered solutions. Colloid solutions are composed of various amounts of substances, for instance, albumin, hydroxyethyl starch, dextran, and gelatine. Although the current international guidelines from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommend crystalloids to perform the initial resuscitation, and the replacement with albumin on patients who require substantial amounts of crystalloids, the choice of the best type of resuscitation fluids is still under debate. Albumin, in addition to its oncotic functions, has a variety of other properties, including binding and transport of various endogenous molecules, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, and modulation of nitric oxide metabolism.These properties are particularly relevant in critically ill patients, especially in patients with sepsis.