Reduced Hepatic Expression of Glutathione S-Transferases in Burned Mice

A primer on burn resuscitation

Since the early 1900s, the scope of burn resuscitation has evolved dramatically. Due to various advances in pre-hospital care and training, under-resuscitation of patients with severe burns is now relatively uncommon. Over-resuscitation, otherwise known as “fluid creep”, has emerged as one of the most important problems during the initial phases of burn care over the past decade. To avoid the complications of over-resuscitation, careful hourly titration of fluid rates based on compilation of various clinical end points by a bedside provider is vital. The aim of this review is to provide a practical approach to the resuscitation of severely burned patients.

Fentanyl clearance and volume of distribution are increased in patients with major burns

This study examined the pharmacokinetics of fentanyl in burned patients during the hyperdynamic phase. Twenty adults, aged 37 +/- 2 years (mean +/- SE), with 49 +/- 3% total body surface area burn, were studied at 17 +/- 2 days after the injury and compared to demographically matched controls. After a 200-microg IV bolus of fentanyl, blood samples (n = 20) were collected for 4.5 hours. Concentration-time curves were fitted to a 2-compartment model. Burned patients had a higher cardiac index. Median fentanyl clearance (CL, 21.0 vs 29.4 mL/kg/min), central compartment volume (V(1), 0.37 vs 0.61 L/kg), and total volume of distribution (V(area), 3.6 vs 5.8 L/kg) were higher in burned patients. Cardiac index was unrelated to CL. The increased V(1) and V(area) are likely due to large intravenous fluid replacement and tissue edema. Higher CL and larger V(1) and V(area) leading to a lower fentanyl plasma concentration may partially explain the increased opiate requirement previously observed after burn injury.