title: A randomized unblinded pilot study comparing albumin versus hydroxyethyl starch in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
abstract: The administration of albumin improves circulatory function, prevents hepatorenal syndrome, and reduces hospital mortality in patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. This randomized unblinded pilot study compared the effect of albumin (10 patients) and the synthetic plasma expander hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.5 (10 patients) on the systemic hemodynamics of patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Baseline measurements were performed within 12 hours after diagnosis of infection. Patients then received 2 doses of the volume expander (1.5 g/kg body weight after baseline measurements and 1 g/kg body weight on day 3). Measurements were repeated after infection resolution. Treatment with albumin was associated with a significant increase in arterial pressure and a suppression of plasma renin activity, indicating an improvement in circulatory function. This occurred in the setting of a significant expansion of central blood volume (increase in cardiopulmonary pressures and atrial natriuretic factor) and an increase in systolic volume and systemic vascular resistance. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in these parameters in patients treated with hydroxyethyl starch. Von Willebrand-related antigen plasma levels significantly decreased in patients treated with albumin but not in those treated with hydroxyethyl starch. Serum nitrates and nitrites increased in patients treated with hydroxyethyl starch but not in those treated with albumin. These data suggest an effect of albumin on endothelial function. In conclusion, albumin but not hydroxyethyl starch improves systemic hemodynamics in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. This effect is due not only to volume expansion but also to an action on the peripheral arterial circulation.
authors.affiliation: Liver Unit, IMDM and IDIBAPS, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Spain. Jfdez@clinic.ub.es
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Monteagudo
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bargallo
authors.forename: Wladimiro
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arroyo
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navasa
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D010952:Plasma Substitutes; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D002443:Ceftriaxone