[The characteristics of colloid osmotic pressure and hematocrit following human albumin substitution as an indication of permeability disorders in septic complications].

Out of a pool of the postoperative intensive care patients in Anaesthesiological and Intensive Care Clinic, Berlin-Friedrichshain, 26 patients with hypoalbuminaemia after major abdominal surgery were selected. Septic complications occurred in 13 patients. In a comparative study we analysed colloid osmotic pressure and haematocrit after substitution of human serum albumin. In cases of septic complications, human serum albumin substitution did not lead to an increase of colloid osmotic pressure and in all cases the haematocrit persisted at the initial value or rose. It is discussed that both parameters can be early references to permeability disturbances. Uncritical use of human serum albumin in septic patients can be the cause of disturbances of organ functions, especially of the lungs. An alternative for improving the oncotic situation is the use of high molecular weight hydroxy-ethyl-starch (molecular weight 200,000).