Resuscitation using albumin in critically ill patients: Research in patients at high risk of complications is now needed

doi:10.1136/bmj.39029.490081.80

BMJ 2006;333:1029-1030 (18 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.39029.490081.80

Editorials

Resuscitation using albumin in critically ill patients

Research in patients at high risk of complications is now needed

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Intravenous albumin has been widely used inthe treatment of shock since the early 1940s. In a recent largeEuropean study on the occurrence of sepsis in acutely ill patients,11% of patients received albumin at some point during theirstay in intensive care.¹ Despite such widespread use, thereare few randomised controlled trials on albumin administrationin critically ill patients, and even fewer data on which subgroupsof patients are likely to benefit most. Because low baselineserum albumin concentrations are associated with worse outcomes,² ³ data on the use of albumin in patientswith low albumin are of considerable interest. In this week'sBMJ a subgroup analysis of the saline versus albumin fluid evaluation(SAFE) study⁴ assesses the effect of baseline serum albuminconcentration on outcomes of resuscitation.⁵

A meta-analysis published in the BMJ in 1998suggested that resuscitation with albumin solutions rather thancrystalloids increased the absolute risk . . . [Full text of this article]

J L Vincent, professor (jlvincen@ulb.ac.be)

¹ Department of Intensive Care, Erasme University Hospital, 1070 Brussels, Belgium

CiteULike

Complore

Connotea

Del.icio.us Add to Digg

Digg

Technorati What's this?

Relevant Articles

Effect of baseline serum albumin concentration on outcome of resuscitation with albumin or saline in patients in intensive care units: analysis of data from the saline versus albumin fluid evaluation (SAFE) study: SAFE Study Investigators
BMJ 2006 333: 1044. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Human albumin administration in critically ill patients: systematic review of randomised controlled trials • Why albumin may not work: Cochrane Injuries Group Albumin Reviewers and Cochrane Injuries Group Albumin Reviewers
BMJ 1998 317: 235-240. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

(2007). Does Baseline Albumin Concentration Predict Response to Albumin Resuscitation?. JWatch Emergency Med. 2007: 3-3 [Full text]

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Hidden conflict of interests: Vasiliy Vlassov
bmj.com, 17 Nov 2006 [Full text]
Author should disclose any links with the Plasma Products Industry: Ian Roberts
bmj.com, 17 Nov 2006 [Full text]
Clarification of competing interests: Giselle Jones
bmj.com, 17 Nov 2006 [Full text]
Albumin's Own Goal: David Leopold
bmj.com, 18 Nov 2006 [Full text]
What is the punishment for failing to declare a conflict of interest?: Richard Smith
bmj.com, 18 Nov 2006 [Full text]
Why use albumin?: Iain R Crossingham
bmj.com, 19 Nov 2006 [Full text]
The wrong trigger level for the administration of albumin: Michael Poullis
bmj.com, 21 Nov 2006 [Full text]
SAFE as SAC (Save Albumin Campain): Ahmed N Ghanem
bmj.com, 22 Nov 2006 [Full text]
Message from BMJ ethics committee: F Godlee
bmj.com, 25 Jun 2007 [Full text]