Comparison of the Hemodynamic and Temperature Effects of a 500-mL Bolus of 4% Albumin at Room Versus Body Temperature in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Objective

To compare the hemodynamic effect of room temperature (cold) 4% albumin fluid bolus therapy (FBT) with body temperature (warm) albumin FBT.

Design

Prospective, before-after trial.

Setting

A tertiary intensive care unit (ICU).

Participants

Sixty ventilated, post-cardiac surgery patients prescribed with 4% albumin FBT.

Intervention

Cold or warm 4% albumin 500 ml FBT.

Measurements and Main Results

We recorded hemodynamic parameters before and for 30 minutes after FBT. Cardiac index (CI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses were defined by a CI increase >15% and a MAP increase >10%, respectively. Immediately after FBT, median [interquartile range] core temperature changed by -0.3 [-0.4; -0.3] °C with cold albumin vs. 0.0 [0.0; 0.1]°C with warm albumin (P<0.001). The median CI increase was 0.3 [0.0; 0.5] L/min/m2 with 14 CI-responders (47%) in both groups (P>0.99). The median immediate MAP increase was 9 [3; 15] mmHg with cold albumin vs. 11 [5; 13] mmHg with warm albumin (P=0.79), with a MAP-response in 16 vs. 17 patients (P=0.99). There was an interaction between group and time for MAP (P=0.002), mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) (P=0.002) and core temperature (P<0.001). In the cold albumin group, after the initial response, MAP and mean PAP decreased more slowly than with warm albumin and, after the initial fall, core temperature increased toward baseline.

Conclusion

In postoperative cardiac surgery patients, warm albumin FBT prevents the decrease in core temperature and, after an initial similar increase, is associated with a faster return of MAP and mean PAP toward baseline.