Albumin for Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: For High-Risk Patients Only

In a previous randomized study of patients with cirrhosis, intravenous albumin administered with antibiotic therapy reduced the incidence of renal failure and death from spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) (N Engl J Med 1999; 341:403). Subsequent studies have suggested that patients with cirrhosis who have intact renal function and low serum bilirubin levels may not need albumin during SBP. However, these studies were performed in a selected patient population that might not reflect general practice.

Now, investigators have retrospectively examined outcomes in a nonselected cohort of patients with cirrhosis who received treatment for SBP at a single center in Spain that is representative of a community practice. Patients were considered …