title: Albumin administration in the acutely ill: what is new and where next?
abstract: Albumin solutions have been used worldwide for the treatment of critically ill patients since they became commercially available in the 1940s. However, their use has become the subject of criticism and debate in more recent years. Importantly, all fluid solutions have potential benefits and drawbacks. Large multicenter randomized studies have provided valuable data regarding the safety of albumin solutions, and have begun to clarify which groups of patients are most likely to benefit from their use. However, many questions remain related to where exactly albumin fits within our fluid choices. Here, we briefly summarize some of the physiology and history of albumin use in intensive care before offering some evidence-based guidance for albumin use in critically ill patients.
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guidet
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wernerman
authors.forename: Ricard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Ricard Ferrer
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Roca
authors.forename: Stuart A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McCluskey
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gattinoni
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001930:Brain Injuries; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D034141:Hypoalbuminemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods; D018805:Sepsis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins