Albumin

[Shishkabob]

I'm actually surprised that my (short) search didn't show any threads on albumin IVs.

We were discussing it today in class, and apparently Dallas FD is running through a trial with using that instead/in addition to normal saline.



Anyone use it? Likes/Dislikes?

 

[Ridryder911]

I worked at a service decades ago that carried it and and Hespan. I like the availability to do more than just fluids, but in reality they need the red stuff and although it is a great protein volume expander it will only buy a short period of time of grace....

It was very expensive and unless changed has a short shelf life.

Most flight services have went to carry O neg in lieu of volume expanders.

R/r 911

 

[Flight-LP]

There is no need for Albumin pre-hospital. You have no way to determine hypoalbuminaemia unless you have an I-stat or some other way to run LFT's. Until specific deficits are identified, a crystalloid is usually sufficient (if fluids are to be given at all).

 

[daedalus]

I second the above, a short shelf life and the fact that colloids are not appropriate for prehospital use.

Plus, you could be causing unneeded fluid shifts with the oncotic pull of extra protein.

 

[emtjack02]

I am not going to go as far as saying that albumin has no place in the pre hospital setting. I can see more use for it in IFT's. I do like that 500ml of albumin is more or less equivalent to 1500ml IVF. It would be good for chronic lungers. I assume we're talking 5% and not 25%.

 

[Flight-LP]

I am not going to go as far as saying that albumin has no place in the pre hospital setting. I can see more use for it in IFT's. I do like that 500ml of albumin is more or less equivalent to 1500ml IVF. It would be good for chronic lungers. I assume we're talking 5% and not 25%.

Hespan will do the same thing and its $75 cheaper per 500ml bag..............

Albumin ~$100 / 500ml bag
Hespan ~$25 / 500ml bag
Saline ~$1 / 500ml bag.

HHHMMMMMMM?????

 

[DV_EMT]

don't really use it. always ends up giving us problems in the hospital setting. we always end up sending Cathflo. better off just using the red stuff or fluids.