Albumin administration improves organ function in critically ill hypoalbuminemic patients: A prospective, randomized, controlled, pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that administration of albumin to correct hypoalbuminemia might have beneficial effects on organ function in a mixed population of critically ill patients.


METHODS
: Prospective, controlled, randomized study.


METHODS
Thirty-one-bed, mixed medicosurgical department of intensive care.


METHODS
All adult patients with a serum albumin concentration < or =30 g/L were assessed for eligibility. Principal exclusion criteria were expected length of stay <72 hrs, life expectancy <3 months or a do-not-resuscitate order, albumin administration in the preceding 24 hrs, or evidence of fluid overload.


METHODS
The 100 patients were randomized to receive 300 mL of 20% albumin solution on the first day, then 200 mL/day provided their serum albumin concentration was <31 g/dL (albumin group), or to receive no albumin (control group).


RESULTS
The primary outcome was the effect of albumin administration on organ function as assessed by a delta Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score from day 1 to day 7 (or the day of intensive care discharge or death, whichever came first). The two groups of 50 patients were comparable at baseline for age, gender, albumin concentration, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score. Albumin concentration did not change over time in the control group but increased consistently in the albumin group (p < .001). Organ function improved more in the albumin than in the control group (p = .026), mainly due to a difference in respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous system components of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. Diuretic use was identical in both groups, but mean fluid gain was almost three times higher in the control group (1679 +/- 1156 vs. 658 +/- 1101 mL, p = .04). Median daily calorie intake was higher in the albumin than in the control group (1122 [935-1158] vs. 760 [571-1077] kcal, p = .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Albumin administration may improve organ function in hypoalbuminemic critically ill patients. It results in a less positive fluid balance and a better tolerance to enteral feeding.
Dubois
Marc-Jacques
MJ
Department of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
Orellana-Jimenez
Carlos
C
Melot
Christian
C
De Backer
Daniel
D
Berre
Jacques
J
Leeman
Marc
M
Brimioulle
Serge
S
Appoloni
Olivier
O
Creteur
Jacques
J
Vincent
Jean-Louis
JL
D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D034141:Hypoalbuminemia / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000418:Albumins; C028426:hyperoncotic albumin