Use of albumin in the intensive care unit.

Dubois MJ, Vincent JL.

Curr Opin Crit Care 2002 Aug;8(4):299-301

Department of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.

Recent publications have renewed interest in albumin use in the ICU. Meta-analyses have been published that demonstrate the safety of albumin administration and even potential benefits. Hypoalbuminemia, which has long been considered a marker of disease, has been causally linked to the development of complications. Finally, advances have been made in our knowledge of the unique and potentially beneficial properties of albumin.