Fluid balance during surgery and intensive care – Robert Hahn's research group

We study the distribution and elimination of infusion fluids during surgery and intensive care in relation to haemodynamics, microcirculation and complications. We have devised and developed volume kinetics, an adaptation of pharmacokinetics for infusion fluids, to describe pathological fluid distribution and third-space effects. A key focus over the past decade has been studies into the clinical use of 20% albumin. The group is internationally composed.

Part of the:
Robert Hahn´s research group

Research focus

Fluid balance during surgery and intensive care

The research group is investigating how infusion fluids act in the body during surgery and intensive care; in particular, we are studying how fluids affect blood circulation, microcirculation and complications. The group has also developed volume kinetics, a method for understanding how fluid is distributed throughout the body.

Research projects

20% albumin

The research team has conducted 10 studies of the use of albumin 20% in different settings during the past decade. Current efforts include the use of albumin 5%, 20%, and Ringer's solution for goal-directed fluid therapy during major laparoscopic surgery (with Robert Svensson, Norrköping, and Joachim Zdolsek, Linköping) and albumin 20% for hemodynamic stability in frail surgical patients (wtih Patrick Wuethrich, Bern).

Transdermal nitrous oxide

Evaluation of a patented own invention by which blood flows are quantified by transdermal administration and measurement of tracer amounts of nitrous oxide.

Volume kinetics

Third-space effects of infusion fluids in overload and inflammatory states (with Randal Dull, USA). Volume kinetics of Gelofusine and sepsis (with Cosmin Balan, Romania). Volume kinetics in veterinary science, cats and horses (with Shane Bateman, William Muir and Xiu Ting Yiew, Canada). Sublingual microcirculation versus volume kinetics (with David Astapenko, Czech Republic).

Haemodynamics

We study relationships between stressed and unstressed blood volume, stroke volume, and mean systemic pressure during bolus administration of fluid (with Terry O´Brien, UK).

Urine flow

Factors influencing the urine flow during vascular surgery performed under spinal anesthesia (with Cosmin Balan, Romania) and the relationships between of concentrated urine before surgery, urine flow during surgery, and the development of acute kidney injury (with Yuhong Li, PR of China).

Collaborations

Involved researchers

  • David Astapenko, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Hradec Králové University Hospital, Czech Republic
  • Terry O´Brien, TOB1 Consulting Ltd, Great Britain
  • Randal Dull, Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, USA
  • Joachim Zdolsek, Anesthesia and surgical care, Linköping Universitety Hospital  
  • Robert Svensson, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Norrköping Hospital sjukhus
  • Cosmin Balan, Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine, C.C. Iliescu Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
  • Patrick Wuethrich, Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Unversity Hospital Bern, Switzerland
  • Yuhong Li, Department of Anaesthesiology, Shulan International Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, PR of China
  • Shane Bateman, Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
  • Xiu Ting Yiew, Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
  • William Muir, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee, USA

Publications

All publications from group members