Inclusion of Albumin in the Initial Resuscitation of Adult Patients with Medical Sepsis or Septic Shock: a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

INTRODUCTION: The impact of albumin resuscitation on sepsis outcomes is debated, particularly in the initial phase of resuscitation. We aimed to investigate the association between albumin use in the initial 6 h of resuscitation and subsequent outcomes in adult septic patients. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, propensity score-matched cohort study included adult patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with sepsis or septic shock from January 1, 2006, to May 4, 2018, at a tertiary referral hospital. We compared two groups based on albumin receipt within the initial six resuscitation hours (albumin group vs. non-albumin group). We performed a 1:2 propensity score matching to assess shock-free time in ICU as the primary outcome. RESULTS: Of 2,732 patients with medical sepsis, 286 cases in the albumin group were matched with 549 individuals in the non-albumin group. Compared to the non-albumin group, the albumin group required more intravenous fluids and had higher net fluid balance, lower mean arterial pressure, and lower serum base excess level in the initial 6 and 24 h of resuscitation. Shock-free time, ICU and hospital length of stay, and 28-day mortality were not different between albumin and non-albumin groups (56 vs. 66 h, P = 0.18; 3.5 days vs. 3.7 days, P = 0.61; 9.1 days vs. 9.5 days, P = 0.27; 36% vs. 32%, P = 0.25, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Using albumin during the initial 6 h of resuscitation was not associated with benefits in clinical outcomes of patients with medical sepsis.