Cohort Study of Albumin versus Lactated Ringer's for Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Fluid Resuscitation in the Intensive Care Unit.

PURPOSE: A new postcardiac surgery fluid resuscitation strategy was implemented in our cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) to implement evidence-based practice. We transitioned from a primarily albumin fluid-based strategy to a lactated Ringer's fluid-based strategy. We sought to determine whether a new postoperative fluid resuscitation strategy significantly altered the fluid composition for postcardiac surgery patients and what effect that would have on fluid resuscitation costs. Secondary outcomes included various clinical parameters. METHODS: This was a retrospective, before-and-after cohort study of postcardiac surgery patients in an academic quaternary care intensive care unit (ICU) during two different 3-month time intervals. A total of 192 patients were studied: 108 pre-intervention and 84 post intervention. The intervention consisted of surveying stakeholders regarding potential concerns of reducing albumin use, an educational intervention addressing those concerns, and removing albumin from the routine postcardiac surgery ICU admission order set. RESULTS: In the post intervention time period, albumin use decreased significantly compared to pre-invention (p<0.01), and lactated Ringer's volume increased significantly (p<0.01). However, total volume administered for resuscitation was not significantly different pre- and post intervention (1129 ml vs. 1369 ml, p=0.136). There were a net-cost savings between the pre-intervention and post intervention period (3 mo) of $30,549.20, with the albumin reduction accounting for most of those savings. Secondary outcomes were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: An albumin fluid reduction strategy was successful in reducing the amount of albumin fluid used for postcardiac surgery patients and resulted in substantial cost savings.

Protocolized warfarin reversal with 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate versus 3-factor prothrombin complex concentrate with recombinant factor VIIa.

INTRODUCTION: Life-threatening bleeding can complicate warfarin therapy. Rapid anticoagulant reversal via replacement of vitamin-K dependent clotting factors is essential for hemostasis. We compare two methods of rapid factor replacement for warfarin reversal. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of warfarin-treated patients experiencing life-threatening bleeding who received a reversal protocol comprised of 4F PCC or 3F PCC and rFVIIa was performed. Demographic, clinical and anticoagulant reversal information, and all adverse events attributed to warfarin reversal were recorded. RESULTS: 195 patients were included in final analysis. While baseline demographics were similar between groups, the 3F-PCC group had a longer ICU LOS and higher in-hospital mortality (p < .01, .01). Pre-reversal INR was similar between both groups, but post-reversal INR was significantly lower in the 3F-PCC group, 0.8 versus 1.3 (p < .01). Significantly more patients experienced thromboembolic complications in the 3F-PCC group than the 4F-PCC group (p < .01). Receipt of rFVIIa was significantly associated with thromboembolic complications. DISCUSSION: A 4F PCC reversal strategy is efficacious in INR reversal and provides lower thromboembolic risk as compared to 3F PCC with rFVIIa.