Analysis of post-operative hypalbuminaemia: a clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
Analysis of severity, causes and relevance of hypalbuminaemia developing after surgery.


METHODS
Patients undergoing elective aortic surgery (n = 11) or minor extra-abdominal surgery (n = 6).


METHODS
Serum albumin concentration, blood loss, nitrogen balance and complications were determined until the fifth post-operative day. The contributions of haemodilution, albumin loss, albumin catabolism and redistribution were calculated using existing formula. The relation of hypalbuminaemia to the endocrine-metabolic response was determined.


RESULTS
Significant hypalbuminaemia occurred after aortic surgery, in the absence of significant complications. No haemodilution occurred. Analysis indicated that 18% of hypalbuminaemia was caused by blood loss. Only 6% could be attributed to albumin catabolism, despite a significant correlation with the endocrine-metabolic response. Seventy-seven percent of hypalbuminaemia was attributed to albumin redistribution. No hypalbuminaemia occurred after minor surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Post-operative hypalbuminaemia is a normal finding early after aortic surgery. It is mainly caused by albumin redistribution, not by metabolic changes.
Smeets
H J
HJ
Department of General Surgery, Universitu Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands.
Kievit
J
J
Dulfer
F T
FT
Hermans
J
J
Moolenaar
A J
AJ
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001810:Blood Volume; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D006438:Hemodilution; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007019:Hypoproteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D013511:Minor Surgical Procedures; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism
D012709:Serum Albumin; D009584:Nitrogen; D006854:Hydrocortisone