Use of Intravenous Albumin: A Guideline From the International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines

Jeannie Callum*, Nikolaos J. Skubas, International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines Intravenous Albumin Guideline Group, Aarti Bathla, Homa Keshavarz, Edward G. Clark, Bram Rochwerg, Dean Fergusson, Sesmu Arbous, Seth R. Bauer, Louise China, Mark Fung, Rachel Jug, Michael Neill, Cary Paine, Katerina Pavenski, Prakesh S. Shah, Susan Robinson, Hua Shan, Zbigniew M. SzczepiorkowskiThierry Thevenot, Bovey Wu, Simon Stanworth, Nadine Shehata

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: 

Albumin is used commonly across a wide range of clinical settings to improve hemodynamics, to facilitate fluid removal, and to 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, undergoing kidney replacement therapy, or experiencing complications of cirrhosis. 

Study Design and Methods: 

Cochairs oversaw the guideline development process and the panel included researchers, clinicians, methodologists, and a patient representative. The evidence informing this guideline arises from a systematic review of randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews, in which multiple databases were searched (inception through November 23, 2022). The panel reviewed the data and formulated the guideline recommendations using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. The guidelines were revised after public consultation. 

Results: 

The panel made 14 recommendations on albumin use in adult critical care (three recommendations), pediatric critical care (one recommendation), neonatal critical care (two recommendations), cardiovascular surgery (two recommendations), kidney replacement therapy (one recommendation), and complications of cirrhosis (five recommendations). Of the 14 recommendations, two recommendations had moderate certainty of evidence, five recommendations had low certainty of evidence, and seven recommendations had very low certainty of evidence. Two of the 14 recommendations suggested conditional use of albumin for patients with cirrhosis undergoing large-volume paracentesis or with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Twelve of 14 recommendations did not suggest albumin use in a wide variety of clinical situations where albumin commonly is transfused. 

Interpretation: 

Currently, few evidence-based indications support the routine use of albumin in clinical practice to improve patient outcomes. These guidelines provide clinicians with actionable recommendations on the use of albumin.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)321-338
Number of pages18
JournalChest
Volume166
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Use of Intravenous Albumin: A Guideline From the International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this