Analysis of post-operative hypalbuminaemia: a clinical study.

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of severity, causes and relevance of hypalbuminaemia developing after surgery.

SUBJECTS

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.

CONCLUSION

Post-operative hypalbuminaemia is a normal finding early after aortic surgery. It is mainly caused by albumin redistribution, not by metabolic changes.