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Colloid Osmotic Pressure and Osmolality

  • Title: Colloid Osmotic Pressure and Osmolality
  • Description:
    Small Animal Critical Care Medicine, 2009,  Chapter 205, pp 868-871.  Author:  Lori S. Waddell.  
  • Category: Emergency and Critical Care

  • Abstract / Overview:

  • KEY POINTS

     

    •  Determination of colloid osmotic pressure (COP) can guide artificial colloid therapy in veterinary patients.

    •  Estimation of COP via equations using the patient's albumin and globulin concentrations are unreliable, particularly in critically ill patients that may have altered albumin-to-globulin ratios.

    •  Direct measurement via a colloid osmometer is the only reliable way to monitor COP.

    •  Maintenance of a goal COP of at least 15 mm Hg in whole blood for both dogs and cats reduces the risk of edema formation and secondary organ dysfunction associated with edema.

    •  Plasma osmolality can be estimated from an equation or measured directly via a freezing point depression osmometer.

    •  Diagnosis of an osmolal gap (measured plasma osmolality – estimated plasma osmolality) of greater than 10 mOsm/kg indicates the presence of another osmolal, such as ethanol or ethylene glycol and its metabolites, and may be clinically useful in diagnosing these toxicities.