Human Albumin Therapy in Hypoalbuminemic Dogs
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OCTOBER 2006 VOL 8.9 Peer Reviewed Editorial Mission Human Albumin Therapy To provide busy practitioners with concise, peer-reviewed recommendations in Hypoalbuminemic Dogs on current treatment standards drawn from published veterinary medical literature. Michelle Savigny, DVM Resident, Emergency and Critical Care Douglass K. Macintire, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVECC This publication acknowledges that Professor standards may vary according to individual Department of Clinical Sciences experience and practices or regional College of Veterinary Medicine differences. The publisher is not responsible Auburn University for author errors. lbumin is a crucial protein in the body, comprising approximately half of the Reviewed 2015 for significant advances plasma total protein. Albumin is synthesized exclusively by the liver. Under in medicine since the date of original normal conditions, production occurs at one-third maximum capacity, meaning A publication. No revisions have been that in times of need, the liver has reserve capacity to increase albumin production. Stimulus for production is mainly the colloid osmotic pressure (COP) of the blood, made to the original text. but other factors, such as nutritional state, intracellular potassium, and certain hormones, also play a role. Synthetic substances such as hetastarch and dextrans can also be recognized by the Editor-in-Chief hepatic osmoreceptors and affect albumin synthesis. If these synthetic substances are Douglass K. Macintire, DVM, MS, used to increase COP to or above a normal level (20–40 mm Hg), they can actually DACVIM, DACVECC turn off the signal to the liver to produce more albumin. Degradation occurs at a rate directly related to concentration, with decreased degradation in times of hypo - Editorial Review Board albuminemia. Forty percent of the body’s albumin is intravascular; the remaining 60% Mark Bohling, DVM is interstitial. As albumin levels decrease, the intravascular supply is maintained at the University of Tennessee expense of the interstitial supply. However, as hypoalbuminemia begins to correct itself, the interstitial supply is replenished first. Harry W. Boothe, DVM, DACVS Albumin plays multiple physiologic roles in the body. It exerts 80% of the plasma Auburn University COP, helping to maintain vascular volume. Albumin also acts to maintain the integrity Derek Burney, DVM, PhD, DACVIM of the vascular endothelium. Interaction of its negative charge with the endothelial Houston, TX cells helps to decrease microvascular permeability. The coagulation system is influenced by albumin, with attenuation of platelet aggregation as well as a heparin-like acceleration Joan R. Coates, DVM, MS, DACVIM of antithrombin. The result is a trend toward decreased coagulation. The antioxidant University of Missouri effect of albumin is partially attributed to its sacrificial activity in binding free radicals Curtis Dewey, DVM, DACVIM, DACVS as well as bacterial toxins. It also binds iron to make it less available for certain redox Plainview, NY reactions, such as lipid peroxidation. Transport of many endogenous and exogenous substances is mediated by the albumin molecule. The structure of this protein allows it Nishi Dhupa, DVM, DACVECC to bind acidic, basic, and neutral substances. Bilirubin, fatty acids, and several drugs Cornell University (cephalosporin antibiotics, furosemide, digoxin, warfarin, NSAIDs) are all carried to a D. Michael Tillson, DVM, MS, DACVS substantial degree. Auburn University Hypoalbuminemia is a fairly common occurrence in many critically ill patients. Production is decreased because of a suboptimal nutritional state and the presence of liver disease and because albumin is a negative acute phase protein. Utilization is increased because these patients are typically in a catabolic state. Loss of albumin is enhanced in KEY TO COSTS certain disease states, including protein-losing nephropathies and enteropathies. $ indicates relative costs of any diagnostic and treatment regimens listed. OCTOBER 2006 VOL 8.9 Sequestration occurs in cases such as peritonitis, TABLE 1. Comparison of Colloid Use in Dogs pyothorax, and significant vasculitis. Hypoalbuminemia has been shown in multiple human and animal Dextran 70 Hetastarch 6% 25% Albumin studies to be correlated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. Size (kD) 70 450 69 Consequences of hypoalbuminemia are multiple. COP (mm Hg) 60 30–45 200 The coagulation system trends toward hypercoagula- bility in the absence of albumin. And of course, Dosage 10–50 10–50 * COP suffers in states of low albumin, leading to (ml/kg/day) edema of the interstitium, gut wall, brain, and Time to oncotic 12–24 >24 12–24 pulmonary parenchyma. This edema interferes with effect (hr) oxygen delivery to cells, potentially leading to organ Side effects Allergy Hypocoagulation Allergy dysfunction or failure. Hypoalbuminemia has been Hypocoagulation Renal dysfunction shown in multiple human and veterinary studies to be associated with an increased morbidity and *Dose under investigation; see text. mortality. Age Predisposition Human serum albumin (HSA) as a product is manufactured Varies depending on the underlying disease process. from pooled human plasma that is ultrafiltrated and heat Causes of hypoalbuminemia in young animals: sterilized. Two concentrations are available: isoncotic 5% at • — Liver failure associated with toxin exposure or congenital 308 mOsmol/L and hyperoncotic 25% at 1,500 mOsmol/L. portosystemic shunts. The COPs of the 5% and the 25% solutions are 20 and 200 — PLE seen with parvoviral enteritis, intestinal parasites, and mm Hg, respectively. In comparison, the COP of 6% het- astarch is 30 to 45 mm Hg, and that of dextran 70 is 60 mm pythiosis. Hg (normal plasma COP, 20–40 mm Hg) (Table 1). It is — Protein-losing nephropathy caus ed by amyloidosis in evident that 25% albumin has a significant oncotic advantage shar-peis. over the other synthetic colloids, especially important in • Causes of hypoalbuminemia in middle-aged to older animals: edematous states because of the low volume of “water” — Liver failure caused by neoplasia or cirrhosis. accompanying the albumin. An infusion of the 25% solution — PLE associated with inflammatory bowel disease, increases intravascular volume by as much as four to five times lymphangiectasia, or neoplasia. the infused volume. Additionally, one must consider the many — Protein-losing nephropathy caused by amyloidosis in benefits of giving a physiologically active and important older beagles. molecule such as albumin. Not only does its administration • Causes of hypoalbuminemia in animals of any age: have oncotic and volume expansion properties, but it also — Glomerulonephritis causing protein-losing neph ropathy, helps to maintain vascular endothelial integrity and has effects pyothorax, peritonitis, vasculitis or capillary leak, or other on coagulation, antioxidant properties, and transport function. acute illnesses. Breed Predisposition DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA • Varies depending on underlying disease process. Historical Information • Liver failure: Many patients may benefit from the administration of HSA. — Chronic hepatitis: Bedlington terriers, cocker spaniels, One of the most important groups is patients with hypo- standard poodles, Doberman pinschers, West Highland albuminemia. Hypoalbuminemia may result from a variety white terriers. of disease processes: — Congenital portosystemic shunt: Yorkshire terriers, • Decreased production: Hepatic failure, inadequate intake, miniature schnauzers, Maltese, golden retrievers, Labrador malabsorption, or maldigestion. retrievers. • Increased loss: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), protein- — Toxicity: Labrador retrievers for carprofen toxicity. losing nephropathy, exudative cutaneous lesions, or whole • Protein-losing enteropathy: blood loss. — Soft-coated wheaten terriers. • Sequestration: Body cavity effusion, pleural, peritoneal, — Lymphangiectasia: Yorkshire terriers, Lundehunds. interstitial, or vasculopathy. — Parvovirus: Rottweilers, pit bull terriers, Doberman Patient history may vary depending on the underlying pinschers. disorder. — Inflammatory bowel disease:Shar-peis, Basenjis. 2 OCTOBER 2006 VOL 8.9 • Protein-losing nephropathy: 0–1.3 mg/dl) may be normal to increased. Hypercholesterolemia — Glomerulonephritis: Doberman pinschers, Sam oy eds, (reference range, 68–224 mg/dl) is often seen with nephrotic Rottweilers, Bernese mountain dogs, soft-coated wheaten syndrome. terriers. • Pyothorax or peritonitis is evidenced by an exudative effusion — Amyloidosis: Beagles, shar-peis. with either an increased or decreased peripheral white blood cell count (reference range, 6,000–17,000/µl). Owner Observations • Patients with vasculitis typically show a transudative cavitary Vary depending on the underlying disease process, but general effusion with decreased circulating platelets (reference range, signs such as lethargy, inappetence, vomiting or diarrhea, polyuria 150,000–500,000). and polydipsia, tissue edema, a distended abdomen caused by ascites, and increased respiratory rate or effort are commonly seen. Other Diagnostic Findings Physical Examination Findings • Ultrasonographic examination $–$$ • Tissue edema, usually in dependent areas (ventrum, legs, — Liver: Nonspecific echogenic changes, microhepatica, mandible). hepatic nodules, ascites. • Distended abdomen (peritoneal effusion). — Intestinal: Thickened walls with loss of normal layering in • Fast, shallow breathing (pleural effusion). infiltrative diseases; often decreased