Albumin in Cardiac Surgery

Summary

Colloid solutions are widely used for volume replacement therapy because of their high oncotic pressure, which could reduce interstitial fluid shifting. Human albumin is the only colloid solution of biologic origin with a molecular weight of 60 kDa. As the most abundant plasma protein, it has physiological importance in the well-being of the endothelial glycocalyx. Older studies in septic patients, however, did not show any benefit of albumin over saline solution. Crystalloid solutions, such as Ringer's acetate, do not impair neither renal function nor coagulation, but their volume expanding effect is questionable.

For several reasons (use of heart-lung machine, systemic inflammation, coagulation disturbances), patients undergoing cardiac surgery need especially large amounts of fluids. However, there are no large trials comparing albumin solutions to crystalloid solutions cardiac surgery.

This double-blinded trial will randomize according to a power analysis 1250 cardiac surgery patients (=625+625) at Meilahti hospital to use either 4% Albumin or Ringer's acetate solutions for both priming of the heart-lung machine and perioperative volume replacement therapy. The primary efficacy and safety endpoint of this study is the incidence of major adverse events (MAE), defined as a composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, acute heart failure or low output syndrome, resternotomy, stroke, certain arrhythmias, major bleeding, infections compromising post-procedural rehabilitation, acute kidney injury within 90 days postoperatively. The secondary outcomes are total number of MAEs, major adverse cardiac events (MACE), perioperative fluid balance, blood product transfusions, blood loss, acute kidney injury, days alive without mechanical ventilation/outside ICU/at home in 90 days as well as 90-day mortality. Blood samples for biochemical analyses will be collected at four perioperative time points.

This trial will provide data about efficacy and safety of 4% albumin in cardiac surgery patients. The biochemical mechanisms of albumin will be assessed.

Conditions

• C.Surgical Procedure; Cardiac

Interventions

DRUG

Albumin solution

Albumin solution will used for priming of the CPB(cardio-pulmonary bypass) tubing. : A mixture of 20% (200 mg/mL) albumin (Albuman® 200 g/L, Sanquin, the Netherlands) with Ringer's acetate solution in the final albumin concentration of 4%. During surgery and the first 24 hours of ICU treatment, albumin 4% solution will be used up to 3200 mL for volume replacement therapy. Ringer's acetate solution is used thereafter, i.e. if more than 3200 mL are needed for volume replacement therapy.The volume replacement therapy is not determined but will be based on the clinical decision.

DRUG

Ringers acetate solution

The Ringers acetate solution will be used for priming of the CPB tubing. The CPB priming volume comprises only of Ringer´s solution. During surgery and the first 24 hours of ICU treatment,Ringer´s acetate solution will be used up to 3200 mL for volume replacement therapy. Ringer's acetate solution is used thereafter, i.e. if more than 3200 mL are needed for volume replacement therapy during the second study phase. The volume replacement therapy is not determined but will be based on the clinical decision.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Helsinki University Central Hospital

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Eero Pesonen, MD.,PhD · Helsinki University Central Hospital

• Hanna Vlasov, MD · Helsinki University Central Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

90 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-03-21

Primary Completion

2020-04-13

Completion

2020-11-04

Countries

• Finland

Study Locations