albumin for transfusion (Albuminar)

Introduction

Tradename: Albuminar [pharmacologic agent].

Indications

• volume expansion/hypovolemia after crystalloid therapy has failed (see SAFE study)
• replacement solution for plasma exchange
• spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
  • large volume paracentesis

Contraindications

• critically ill adults with thermal injuries (burns), ARDS or septic shock for volume replacement or to increase serum albumin
• cardiovascular surgery patients for volume replacement or to prime the cardiovascular bypass circuit
• patients with cirrhosis & extraperitoneal infections
• hospitalized patients with decompensated cirrhosis & low serum albumin
• outpatients with cirrhosis & recalcitrant ascites despite diuretic therapy
• patients who undergo hemodialysis, for preventing or treating hypotension or for improving ultrafiltration

* relative contraindications

Dosage

• 500 mL of 5% albumin (25 g) solution IV PRN Packaging:
• human pooled blood fraction
• 50, 250, 500, 1000 mL, (contains 145 meq of NaCl)

Adverse effects

• infrequent (1-10%)
  • precipitation of congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema due to hypervolemia
  • hypotension
  • tachycardia
  • fever/chills
  • rash
  • nausea/vomiting
• other
  • bleeding due to decreased coagulation factors & decreasedvplatelet aggregation
  • allergic reactions
  • secondary Creutzfelt Jacob disease (CJD) is possible

More general terms

• transfusion component

More specific terms

• 25% albumin
• 5% albumin

Additional terms

• albumin (ALB)