THERAPEUTIC USEFULNESS OF SERUM-ALBUMIN - A DISCUSSION ABOUT ITS EFFICACY

The aim of our study is to discuss the current recommendations for the use of intravenous albumin in hypoalbuminemic patients obtained from a literature review. Some data available lead us to the belief that it s use does not influence the clinical outcome of the patients, in most of the cases in wich it is employed. Therefore its use should be limi ted to a certain number of clinical situations, in which its efficienc y has been clearly shown, as in new-born in whom plasma expansion with small volume is necessary, in cases in wich synthetic colloids cannot be employed, in massive paracentesis in cirrhotic patients, in select ed cases of edema unresponsive to diuretics or other colloids, in plas mapheresis, in kidney and liver transplant surgery.