The association between hypoalbuminemia and microcirculation, endothelium, and glycocalyx disorders in children with sepsis

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between serum albumin levels and microcirculation changes, glycocalyx degradation, and the clinical outcomes of interest.

Methods

Observational, prospective study in children with sepsis. The primary outcome was the association between hypoalbuminemia and microcirculation disorders, endothelial activation and glycocalyx degradation using a perfused boundary region (PBR) (abnormal >2.0 μm on sublingual video microscopy) or plasma biomarkers (syndecan-1, angiopoietin-2).

Results

A total of 125 patients with sepsis were included. The median age was 2.0 years (IQR 0.5–12.5). Children with hypoalbuminemia had more abnormal microcirculation with a higher PBR (2.16 μm [IQR 2.03–2.47] vs. 1.92 [1.76–2.28]; p = .01) and more 4–6 μm capillaries recruited (60% vs. 40%; p = .04). The low albumin group that had the worst PBR had the most 4–6 μm capillaries recruited (rho 0.29; p < .01), 48% higher Ang-2 (p = .04), worse annexin A5 (p = 0.03) and no syndecan-1 abnormalities (p = .21). Children with hypoalbuminemia and a greater percentage of blood volume in their capillaries needed mechanical ventilation more often (56.3% vs. 43.7%; aOR 2.01 95% CI 1.38–3.10: p < .01).

Conclusions

In children with sepsis, an association was found between hypoalbuminemia and microcirculation changes, vascular permeability, and greater endothelial glycocalyx degradation.