Use of Intravenous Albumin

Publication Date: March 3, 2024
Last Updated: March 5, 2024

Summary of Recommendations

In critically ill adult patients (excluding patients with thermal injuries and acute respiratory distress syndrome), intravenous albumin is not suggested for first-line volume replacement or to increase serum albumin levels. (C, M )
620
In critically ill adult patients with thermal injuries or acute respiratory distress syndrome, intravenous albumin is not suggested for volume replacement or to increase serum albumin level. (C, VL )
620
In critically ill adult patients, intravenous albumin in conjunction with diuretics is not suggested for removal of extravascular fluid. (C, VL )
620
In pediatric patients with infection and hypoperfusion, intravenous albumin is not recommended to reduce mortality. (S, L )
620
In preterm neonates (<36 weeks) with low serum albumin levels and respiratory distress, intravenous albumin is not suggested to improve respiratory function. (C, VL )
620
In preterm neonates (<32 weeks or <1,500 g) with or without hypoperfusion, intravenous albumin is not suggested for volume replacement. (C, VL )
620
In patients undergoing kidney replacement therapy, intravenous albumin is not suggested for prevention or treatment of intradialytic hypotension or for improving ultrafiltration. (C, VL )
620
In adult patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, intravenous albumin is not suggested for priming the cardiovascular bypass circuit or volume replacement. (C, M )
620
In pediatric patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, intravenous albumin is not suggested for priming the cardiovascular bypass circuit or volume replacement. (C, VL )
620
In patients with cirrhosis and ascites undergoing large volume paracentesis (>5 liters), intravenous albumin is suggested to prevent paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction. (C, VL )
620
In patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, intravenous albumin is suggested to reduce mortality. (C, L )
620
In patients with cirrhosis and extraperitoneal infections, intravenous albumin is not suggested to reduce mortality or kidney failure. (C, L )
620
In hospitalized patients with decompensated cirrhosis with hypoalbuminemia (<30 g/L), repeated intravenous albumin to increase albumin levels >30 g/L is not suggested to reduce infection, kidney dysfunction or death. (C, L )
620
In outpatients with cirrhosis and uncomplicated ascites despite diuretic therapy, intravenous albumin is not routinely suggested to reduce complications associated with cirrhosis. (C, L )
620

Recommendation Grading

Disclaimer

The information in this patient summary should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Overview

Title

Use of Intravenous Albumin

Authoring Organization

International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines

Publication Month/Year

March 3, 2024

Last Updated Month/Year

April 1, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

Country of Publication

Global

Document Objectives

Albumin is commonly employed across a wide range of clinical settings to improve hemodynamics, facilitate fluid removal, and manage complications of cirrhosis. The International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines developed guidelines for the use of albumin in patients requiring critical care, undergoing cardiovascular surgery, kidney replacement therapy, or experiencing complications of cirrhosis.

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Infant, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Hospital

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Treatment, Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D000418 - Albumins

Keywords

Intravenous Albumin

Source Citation

Callum J, Skubas NJ, Bathla A, Keshavarz H, Clark EG, Rochwerg B, Fergusson D, Arbous S, Bauer SR, China L, Fung M, Jug R, Neill M, Paine C, Pavenski K, Shah PS, Robinson S, Shan H, Szczepiorkowski ZM, Thevenot T, Wu B, Stanworth S, Shehata N, on behalf of the ICTMG Intravenous Albumin Guideline Group, Use of Intravenous Albumin: A Guideline from the International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines., CHEST (2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2024.02.049