Small volume resuscitation with 20% albumin in intensive care: physiological effects : The SWIPE randomised clinical trial.

PURPOSE: We set out to assess the resuscitation fluid requirements and physiological and clinical responses of intensive care unit (ICU) patients resuscitated with 20% albumin versus 4-5% albumin. METHODS: We performed a randomised controlled trial in 321 adult patients requiring fluid resuscitation within 48 h of admission to three ICUs in Australia and the UK. RESULTS: The cumulative volume of resuscitation fluid at 48 h (primary outcome) was lower in the 20% albumin group than in the 4-5% albumin group [median difference - 600 ml, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 800 to - 400; P < 0.001]. The 20% albumin group had lower cumulative fluid balance at 48 h (mean difference - 576 ml, 95% CI - 1033 to - 119; P = 0.01). Peak albumin levels were higher but sodium and chloride levels lower in the 20% albumin group. Median (interquartile range) duration of mechanical ventilation was 12.0 h (7.6, 33.1) in the 20% albumin group and 15.3 h (7.7, 58.1) in the 4-5% albumin group (P = 0.13); the proportion of patients commenced on renal replacement therapy after randomization was 3.3% and 4.2% (P = 0.67), respectively, and the proportion discharged alive from ICU was 97.4% and 91.1% (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Resuscitation with 20% albumin decreased resuscitation fluid requirements, minimized positive early fluid balance and was not associated with any evidence of harm compared with 4-5% albumin. These findings support the safety of further exploration of resuscitation with 20% albumin in larger randomised trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.anzctr.org.au . Identifier ACTRN12615000349549.

Pharmacodynamics of intravenous frusemide bolus in critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the physiological, biochemical and haemodynamic response to a single intravenous (IV) dose of frusemide in critically patients. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS: A prospective observational study of 21 critically ill patients in a tertiary intensive care unit in Australia. INTERVENTIONS: We collected information on urine output (UO), fluid balance, serum and urinary electrolyte levels, serum biochemical levels and haemodynamics. We compared data from the 6-hour period before administration of a single IV bolus of frusemide 40 mg with data from the 6-hour period after administration. RESULTS: We studied 21 patients (12 of whom were women) with a median age of 73 years (interquartile range [IQR], 64-80 years). The IV bolus induced a > 1000 mL increase in UO in six patients (28.6%); a 500-1000 mL increase in six patients (28.6%) and a < 500 mL increase in nine patients (42.8%). The median difference in UO before and after frusemide was 590 mL (IQR, 290-1111 mL). The 6-hour fluid balance became negative in 15 patients (71.4%) and positive in six patients (28.6%), with a median change of -595 mL (IQR, -880 to 98 mL). Frusemide significantly increased urinary sodium, potassium and chloride losses and decreased blood chloride levels. There were no detectable changes in haemodynamics. On linear regression analysis, sodium excretion and UO correlated with higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) and age, and with lower albumin and creatinine levels. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of critically ill patients without chronic renal impairment, frusemide increased UO and urinary sodium, potassium and chloride losses, and induced hypochloraemia and metabolic alkalosis. However, its diuretic effects were extremely variable and were modified by age, MAP and creatinine and albumin levels.

Differential risk for early breastfeeding jaundice in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort.

INTRODUCTION: To explore the relationship between ethnic origin and mode of feeding with early neonatal jaundice, we examined maternal and neonatal risk factors for hyperbilirubinaemia in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort of healthy term newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an observational cohort study in a maternity ward serving a multi-ethnic cosmopolitan community. The relationship between hyperbilirubinaemia (bilirubin >or=150 mmol/L before 48 hours to 72 hours after birth), ethnic origin, weight loss after birth, need for phototherapy, and other factors were examined. Bivariate comparisons and binary logistic regression were used to investigate the relationship between hyperbilirubinaemia/phototherapy with maternal and neonatal risk factors. RESULTS: A consecutive group of 1034 neonates (56% Chinese, 24% Indian subcontinent, 9% Malay) with birth weights >or=2500 g was investigated. Overall factors that contributed significantly to hyperbilirubinaemia/phototherapy were gestational age, Chinese ethnic origin, weight loss of >or=7%, vaginal delivery, glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, breastfeeding and ABO incompatibility. Chinese neonates who were totally breastfed had a higher risk for jaundice [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.64; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.11- 2.44; P <0.014], and phototherapy (adjusted OR = 2.75; 95% CI 1.77-4.27; P <0.001) compared to those supplemented with, or totally formula fed. In contrast, the risk of jaundice for non- Chinese infants did not differ according to the mode of feed. Although weight loss as a whole increased the risk for jaundice (adjusted OR = 1.43; 95%CI, 1.03-1.99; P = 0.031), jaundice in Chinese neonates was not due to ineffective breastfeeding because both Chinese and non-Chinese breastfed infants lost similar weights. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese ethnic origin was an independent risk factor for hyperbilirubinaemia and phototherapy. Breastfeeding was not a risk factor for hyperbilirubinaemia/phototherapy in non-Chinese Asian infants.