Hypoproteinemia does not alter plasma volume expansion in response to a 0.9% saline bolus in awake sheep.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that hypoproteinemia reduces plasma volume expansion produced by a bolus of crystalloid solution given to awake sheep.

Design: Prospective and observational.

Setting: Laboratory.

Volume kinetic analysis of the distribution of 0.9% saline in conscious versus isoflurane-anesthetized sheep.

Background: The distribution and elimination of 0.9% saline given by intravenous infusion has not been compared between the conscious state and during inhalational anesthesia.

Methods: Six adult sheep received an intravenous infusion of 25 ml/kg of 0.