The Effect of Albumin Replacement on Vasopressor Duration in Septic Shock in Patients With Hypoalbuminemia

Abstract

Background: The use of albumin resuscitation in septic shock is only recommended in patients who have received large volumes of crystalloid resuscitation regardless of serum albumin concentration. The role of albumin is still largely debated and evidence to support its use still lacking.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether albumin replacement increases the number of vasopressor-free days in patients with septic shock and hypoalbuminemia.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to assess the effect of albumin replacement in septic shock. Hypoalbuminemic patients with septic shock who received albumin were retrospectively compared with a cohort who did not. The primary outcome was number of vasopressor-free days at day 14 from shock presentation, which was analyzed using an adjusted linear regression model to adjust for confounders.

Results: There was no difference in vasopressor-free days at day 14 in patients who received albumin versus those who did not, after adjusting for confounders of exposure (0.50, 95% CI = -0.97 to 1.97; P = 0.502). There also was no difference in secondary outcomes except for need for invasive mechanical ventilation (MV), which was significantly lower in patients who received albumin (61 [54.4%] vs 88 [67.7%]; P = 0.035).

Conclusions and relevance: We observed no difference in vasopressor-free days at day 14 in patients with hypoalbuminemia who received albumin compared with those who did not. However, patients who received albumin required significantly less MV although further studies are warranted to assess this effect.

Keywords: albumin; hypoalbuminemia; sepsis; septic shock.