THE EFFECTS OF ALBUMIN ADMINISTRATION ON MICROVASCULAR PERMEABILITY AT THE SITE OF BURN INJURY

In a canine hind leg model, lymph flow (Q(L)), lymph (C(L)), and plasm a (C(P)) total protein concentrations, the reflection coefficient for total proteins (sigma(d)), and the filtration coefficient (K(f)) were determined before and for 6 hours after a 5-second 100-degrees-C hind paw scald (3% total body surface area, TBSA). Before injury, hind leg venous pressure was elevated and maintained by outflow restriction unt il a minimal, steady-state C(L)/C(P) ratio was achieved. Albumin (5%) was infused 30 minutes after the scald at low (0.4 mL/kg/% TBSA) or hi gh (2 mL/kg/% TBSA) doses. Scald uniformly increased Q(L), C(L)/C(P), K(f), and paw weight gain (PWG). Whereas postburn infusion of low-dose albumin mildly attenuated increases in C(L)/C(P) and PWG noted in sca ld-alone animals, no differences were noted between the scald and scal d/high-dose albumin groups.