Plasma Volume Changes following the Administration of Albumin to Patients with the Nephrotic Syndrome

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Abstract
Plasma volume changes following the intraven. admn. of human plasma albumin were studied in 2 patients with the nephrotic syndrome over a number of 24-hour periods. In nearly all instances the change of plasma volume per g. of albumin retained in the circulation is less than would have obtained had the response been "iso-osmotic". It is suggested that an increase in capillary hydrostatic pressure prevented the max. "iso-osmotic" response. It is pointed out, on the basis of the theory of membrane equilibria, that changes in the other variables may also have occurred; it is estimated that the interstitial fluid pressure may have decreased by 1-3 mm. Hg for net shifts of water approaching 1 1. The mechanism of action of albumin is briefly discussed in terms of the theory of membrane equilibria.