Absolutely! As early as 1959, Guyton and Lindsey demonstrated the importance of serum colloid osmotic pressure in the pathogenesis of pulmonary edema¹.

Specifically, they found that in dogs with normal plasma protein concentrations fluid began to transudate into the lungs when the left atrial pressure rose above an average of 24 mm Hg vs only 11 mm Hg when plasma protein concentration was reduced by about 50%.

Fast forward to 2003, Arques et al studied serum albumin and pulmonary artery wedge pressures in 4 groups of patients: acute HFpEF, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), acute dyspnea from pulmonary origin and normal controls².   Patients with HFpEF were significantly more likely to have hypoalbuminemia , compared to those with HFrEF, pulmonary disease or normal controls.  The main cause of hypoalbuminemia in the HFpEF was malnutrition in 77% and/or sepsis in 41% of patients.   Hypoalbuminemia was inversely related to age and plasma C-reactive protein.

Perhaps, we should pay more attention the nutritional status of our patients with HFpEF!

Liked this post? Download the app on your smart phone and sign up below to catch future pearls right into your inbox, all for free!

References

1. Guyton AC, Lindsey AW. Effect of elevated left atrial pressure and decreased plasma protein concentration on the development of pulmonary edema. Circ Res 1959;7: 649-657.
2. Arquès S, Ambrosi P, Gélisse R et al. Hypoalbuminemia in elderly patients with acute diastolic heart failure. J Am Coll Card 2003;42:712-16. http://www.onlinejacc.org/content/42/4/71