Postaperative hypoalbuminemia in open heart surgery

During cardiopulmonary bypass, serum albumin levels show a decrease due to hemodilution and increased vascular permeability; and this leads to a reduction in colloidal oncotic pressure, and to a fluid leakage into the interstitial space. Due to the decrease in serum albumin levels, multiple systems are affected. Preoperative and postoperative hypoalbuminemia, and its clinical effects on the pulmonary system were investigated in this study including 30 pediatric patients between 2-24 months who have undergone open heart surgery. Decrease was found in serum albumin levels following cardiopulmonary bypass. In the assessment of pulmonary effects, pulmonary infection and duration of mechanical ventilation were taken into account. Postoperative on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th day, decrease was determined in serum albumin levels and the duration of mechanical ventilation was prolonged. Preoperative and postoperative hypoalbuminemia enhanced the formation of pulmonary infection, and all these factors lead to prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients who have undergone open heart surgery.