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Human albumin and starch administration in critically ill patients: A prospective randomized clinical trial

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Summary

Objective

To determine whether intravenous infusion of either human albumin or hydroxyethylstarch (HES) in hypo-albuminemic critically ill may lead to an increase in colloid osmotic pressure and to a better clinical outcome, i.e. lower mortality and fewer complications, compared to fluid replacement with normal saline

Design

Prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial during 72 hours in 61 consecutively admitted severely ill patients. Randomisation took place by sealed envelope, kept outside of the hospital.

Setting

Intensive care unit of the Twenteborg Hospital, Almelo, The Netherlands.

Subjects

Sixty-three severely ill, hypo-albuminemic patients were selected; 27 patients had severe sepsis and 36 were post-surgical patients with SIRS. Two patients died shortly after randomization, 15 patients received human albumin, 15 HES 500 and 15 HES 1000 ml, and 16 saline.

Interventions

The patients were randomized to receive 300 ml human albumin (20%) per day, or 1000 ml normal saline per day, or 500 ml or 1000 ml HES per day, all for 72 hours.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COP). Secondary end-points were fluid balance and the development of pulmonary edema.

Results

Administration of human albumin was effective in raising COP (P<0.001 on day 2 and day 3, compared to saline and HES). Neither fluid balances nor the development of peripheral or pulmonary edema were different between the groups. Mortality as well as length of stay at ICU were slightly higher in the group receiving human albumin although not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Raising colloid osmotic pressure with human albumin in hypoalbuminemic patients is not associated with improvement of the clinical outcome

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Correspondence to Arend J. J. Woittiez MD. PhD.

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Veneman, T.F., Nijhuis, J.O. & Woittiez, A.J.J. Human albumin and starch administration in critically ill patients: A prospective randomized clinical trial. Wien Klin Wochenschr 116, 305–309 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03040900

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03040900

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