Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2006 Mar 7;12(9):1403-7.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i9.1403.

Long-term albumin infusion improves survival in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: an unblinded randomized trial

Roberto-Giulio Romanelli  1 , Giorgio La Villa, Giuseppe Barletta, Francesco Vizzutti, Fabio Lanini, Umberto Arena, Vieri Boddi, Roberto Tarquini, Pietro Pantaleo, Paolo Gentilini, Giacomo Laffi
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Long-term albumin infusion improves survival in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: an unblinded randomized trial

Roberto-Giulio Romanelli et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of long-term albumin administration on survival, recurrence of ascites and onset of other complications.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients admitted for first-onset ascites were randomized to receive diuretics plus human albumin 25 g/wk in the first year and 25 g every two wk thereafter (group 1) or diuretics alone (group 2). The primary endpoint was survival without liver transplantation. Secondary endpoints were recurrence of ascites and occurrence of other complications.

Results: Median follow-up was 84 (2-120) mo. Albumin-treated patients had significantly greater cumulative survival rate (Breslow test=7.05, P=0.0078) and lower probability of ascites recurrence (51% versus 94%, P<0.0001). Chronic albumin infusion resulted in a mean increase in survival of 16 mo.

Conclusion: Long-term albumin administration after first-onset ascites significantly improves patients' survival and decreases the risk of ascites recurrence.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cumulative survival rate in group 1 (albumin) and group 2 patients. Breslow test  = 7.05; P =  0.0079.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Ginés P, Quintero E, Arroyo V, Terés J, Bruguera M, Rimola A, Caballería J, Rodés J, Rozman C. Compensated cirrhosis: natural history and prognostic factors. Hepatology. 1987;7:122–128. - PubMed
    1. D'Amico G, Morabito A, Pagliaro L, Marubini E. Survival and prognostic indicators in compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Dig Dis Sci. 1986;31:468–475. - PubMed
    1. Gentilini P, Laffi G, La Villa G, Romanelli RG, Buzzelli G, Casini-Raggi V, Melani L, Mazzanti R, Riccardi D, Pinzani M, et al. Long course and prognostic factors of virus-induced cirrhosis of the liver. Am J Gastroenterol. 1997;92:66–72. - PubMed
    1. Arroyo V, Jiménez W. Complications of cirrhosis. II. Renal and circulatory dysfunction. Lights and shadows in an important clinical problem. J Hepatol. 2000;32:157–170. - PubMed
    1. Arroyo V, Colmenero J. Ascites and hepatorenal syndrome in cirrhosis: pathophysiological basis of therapy and current management. J Hepatol. 2003;38 Suppl 1:S69–S89. - PubMed

Publication types