Analysis of the extracellular protein and fluid shifts in burned patients.

An algorithm is presented for the qualitative and quantitative study of the variations in the distribution of the extracellular fluids and proteins between the vascular and interstitial spaces in burned patients using the values of the haematocrit, plasma protein concentration, fluid replacements and diuresis, measurements that are usually made in these type of patients. The observed fluid and protein shifts are indicative of the capillary dynamics of the burned patient and are in agreement with the known pathophysiology of the thermal injury. They provide a further means of studying the response of the patient to the treatment. The reliability of the algorithm has been assessed by comparing, retrospectively, the clinical progress with the results obtained in 39 patients, divided in four groups according to the burn surface area, as well as with experimental results gathered from the scientific/medical literature.