Influence of crystalloid versus colloid infusion on peripartum colloid osmotic pressure changes

Plasma colloid osmotic pressure acts to retain fluid in the intravascular space. Intravenous crystalloids have been identified as one of the major factors contributing to the consistent peripartum decline in colloid osmotic pressure. This study was undertaken to compare the effect of two crystalloid infusions (1000 and 2000 mL Plasma-Lyte A) and a colloid infusion (1000 mL 5% albumin) on the peripartum colloid osmotic pressure. Before elective cesarean section, 45 parturients received one of the three infusions. The lowest mean maternal colloid osmotic pressure (16.6 +/- 1.1 mmHg, P less than .05 compared with baseline) occurred in the 2000-mL crystalloid infusion group eight to 16 hours postpartum. Although the colloid osmotic pressure fell in all groups postpartum, this reduction was significantly (P less than .05) less during the first 24 hours in the colloid infusion group. Minimizing this disruption of the colloid osmotic pressure to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure gradient may be clinically important in selected patients.