Albumin is a colloid that is frequently used in the resuscitation of critically ill patients. Amongst those indications we see it used in sepsis and very frequently in the cardiac surgery space. What prompted me to write this post was an article by Joannidis et al. published in Intensive Care Medicine last month. In that article, the authors dissected ten myths about albumin. I have been meaning to tackle such an endeavor myself.

You have no idea how tired I am of hearing how albumin helps bring fluid from the extravascular space back into the intravascular space. This may be off-putting to some, but before we make up magical solutions to issues, maybe we should stop giving so much fluids in the first place. Fortunately, the CLASSIC and CLOVERS trials should be published sooner rather than later. That’s a different conversation, though.

For historical context, this post was started on 5/1/22. When will it be complete? Who knows. Maybe never. For a thorough guide on 0.9% NaCl, Lactated Ringers and Plasma-lyte, CLICK HERE.

How long does Albumin Stay in the Intravascular Space?

UPDATED on 05.06.22
Zdolsek M, Wuethrich PY, Gunnström M, Zdolsek JH, Hasselgren E, Beilstein CM, Engel D, Hahn RG. Plasma disappearance rate of albumin when infused as a 20% solution. Crit Care. 2022 Apr 11;26(1):104. doi: 10.1186/s13054-022-03979-1. PMID: 35410365; PMCID: PMC9003982.
Link to Article
Link to FULL FREE PDF

Citations for Albumin in Resuscitation

Joannidis M, Wiedermann CJ, Ostermann M. Ten myths about albumin. Intensive Care Med. 2022 May;48(5):602-605. doi: 10.1007/s00134-022-06655-8. Erratum in: Intensive Care Med. 2022 Mar 18;: PMID: 35247060.
Link to Article
Link to FULL FREE PDF

Zdolsek M, Wuethrich PY, Gunnström M, Zdolsek JH, Hasselgren E, Beilstein CM, Engel D, Hahn RG. Plasma disappearance rate of albumin when infused as a 20% solution. Crit Care. 2022 Apr 11;26(1):104. doi: 10.1186/s13054-022-03979-1. PMID: 35410365; PMCID: PMC9003982.
Link to Article
Link to FULL FREE PDF

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