Fluid Resuscitation in Conditions with Increased MicrovascularPermeability

Overview

Fluid resuscitation remains a cornerstone in the treatment of various types of circulatory failure. Alterations inmicrovascular permeability are a hallmark of a number of inflammatory conditions including sepsis, septic shock,burns and the acute respiratory distress syndrome. As a result, the loss of plasma fluid into the interstitial space leadsto hypovolaemia and tissue hypoperfusion. Administration of large volumes of fluids in often necessary to restorethe nutritional blood flow to tissues. This strategy, however, involues the risk of interstitial edema formation, whichin turn may further impair tissue oxygen distribution. The presented paper briefly reviews the principles oftransvascular fluid exchange and the pathophysiology of capillary permeability. It discusses the ongoing controversyon the optimal way and the end points of volume replacement as well as the choice of fluid in conditions associatedwith capillary leakage.

Key words:
fluid resuscitation, capillary permeability, lung oedema, crystalloids, colloids, sepsis, shock, ARDS,tissue perfusion.