Appropriate Use of IV Albumin: Less Is More

Background

Intravenous (IV) albumin is a blood product, derived from donated human plasma, that is prescribed for therapeutic uses in hospitalized patients (and less commonly in outpatients). However, evidence supporting its use for specific clinical indications is somewhat lacking. Because prescribing practices are highly variable — and because of high costs and potential adverse events — a multidisciplinary, international guideline panel was convened to evaluate randomized, controlled trials and meta-analyses and to produce evidence-based recommendations for use of (and when to avoid using) IV albumin…