BACKGROUND
Conventional concept suggests that infused crystalloid fluid is first distributed in the plasma volume and then, since the capillary permeability for fluid is very high, almost instantly equilibrates with the extracellular fluid space. We challenge whether this view is consistent with findings based on volume kinetic analysis.
METHODS
Fifteen volunteers received an IV infusion of 15 mL/kg of lactated Ringer’s solution during 10 min. Simultaneous arterial and venous blood hemoglobin (Hgb) samples were obtained and Hgb concentrations measured. The arteriovenous (AV) difference in Hgb dilution in the forearm was determined and a volume kinetic model was fitted to the series of Hgb concentrations in arterial and venous blood.
RESULTS
The AV difference in plasma dilution was only positive during the infusion and for 2.5 min thereafter, which represents the period of net flow of fluid from plasma to tissue. Kinetic analysis showed that volume expansion of the peripheral fluid space began to decrease 14 min (arterial blood) and 20 min (venous blood) after the infusion ended. Distribution of lactated Ringer’s solution apparently occurs much faster in the forearm than in the body as a whole. Therefore, the AV difference in the arm does not accurately reflect the distribution of Ringer’s solutions or whole-body changes in plasma volume.
CONCLUSIONS
The relatively slow whole-body distribution of lactated Ringer’s solution, which boosts the plasma volume expansion during and for up to 30 min after an infusion, is probably governed by a joint effect of capillary permeability and differences in tissue perfusion between body regions.
The assessment and maintenance of perioperative blood volume is important because fluid therapy is a routine part of intraoperative care. In the past, patients undergoing major surgery were given large amounts of fluids because health-care providers were concerned about preoperative dehydration and intraoperative losses to a third space. In the last decade it has become clear that fluid therapy has to be more individualized. Because the exact determination of blood volume is not clinically possible at every timepoint, there have been different approaches to assess fluid requirements, such as goal-directed protocols guided by invasive and less invasive devices.This article focuses on laboratory volume determination, capillary dynamics, aspects of different fluids and how to clinically assess and monitor perioperative blood volume.
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