Decreased fluid volume to reduce organ damage: a new approach to burn shock resuscitation? A preliminary study.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of decreased fluid resuscitation on multiple-organ dysfunction after severe burns. This approach was referred to as "permissive hypovolaemia".

Methods: Two cohorts of patients with burns>20% BSA without associated injuries and admitted to ICU within 6 h from the thermal injury were compared. Patients were matched for both age and burn severity. The multiple-organ dysfunction score (MODS) by Marshall was calculated for 10 days after ICU admission. Permissive hypovolaemia was administered by a haemodynamic-oriented approach throughout the first 24-h period. Haemodynamic variables, arterial blood lactates and net fluid balance were obtained throughout the first 48 h.

Results: Twenty-four patients were enrolled: twelve of them received the Parkland Formula while twelve were resuscitated according to the permissive hypovolaemic approach. Permissive hypovolaemia allowed for less volume infusion (3.2+/-0.7 ml/kg/% burn versus 4.6+/-0.3 ml/kg/% burn; P<0.001), a reduced positive fluid balance (+7.5+/-5.4 l/day versus +12+/-4.7 l/day; P<0.05) and significantly lesser MODS Score values (P=0.003) than the Parkland Formula. Both haemodynamic variables and arterial blood lactate levels were comparable between the patient cohorts throughout the resuscitation period.

Conclusions: Permissive hypovolaemia seems safe and well tolerated by burn patients. Moreover, it seems effective in reducing multiple-organ dysfunction as induced by oedema fluid accumulation and inadequate O2 tissue utilization.