Albumin and Prognosis of Severely Patients Burns

Hemodynamic management has long been identified as a key factor affecting burn prognosis. However, large amounts of crystalloid infusion have been associated with the development or aggravation of organ failure (acute respiratory distress syndrome, vascular injury, acute renal failure, and intra-abdominal hypertension) which worsens the final prognosis.

The use of albumin during the first 24 hours of burn resuscitation is controversial since capillary leakage may cause transcapillary passage of large molecules into the interstitial space. In fact, human albumin has multiple physiological effects, including regulation of colloidal osmotic pressure, antioxidant properties, nitric oxide modulation and buffering capacities, plasma binding and transport of various substances, which may be particularly important in severe burns.

Currently available data suggest that administration of exogenous albumin during the first 24 hours of resuscitation of severe burn patients may be associated with improved outcomes. Multi-centre randomized controlled trials with adequate power should be undertaken in burned patients.