Albumin: Indications in chronic liver disease

United European Gastroenterol J. 2020 Jun;8(5):528-535. doi: 10.1177/2050640620910339. Epub 2020 Feb 26.

Abstract

Albumin is currently employed as a plasma expander to prevent and treat specific complications of cirrhosis with ascites, such as the prevention of paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction and renal dysfunction induced by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney injury and hepatorenal syndrome. Recently, evidence has shown that long-term albumin administration in patients with decompensated cirrhosis reduces mortality and incidence of complications, eases the management of ascites, is cost effective, and has a good safety profile.

Keywords: Liver cirrhosis; acute kidney injury; ascites; hepatorenal syndrome; human albumin; paracentesis; spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis
  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology
  • Acute Kidney Injury / prevention & control*
  • Aged
  • Ascites / diagnosis
  • Ascites / etiology
  • Ascites / therapy*
  • Chronic Disease / therapy
  • Diuretics / administration & dosage
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Hepatorenal Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Hepatorenal Syndrome / etiology
  • Hepatorenal Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis
  • Liver Cirrhosis / therapy*
  • Paracentesis
  • Peritonitis / diagnosis
  • Peritonitis / etiology
  • Peritonitis / prevention & control*
  • Serum Albumin, Human / administration & dosage*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Diuretics
  • Serum Albumin, Human