Albumin Fails to Improve ICU Mortality Across All Comparators
This systematic review of 35 trials confirms that albumin offers no mortality advantage over crystalloids, colloids, or standard care in critically ill adults, reinforcing a restrictive formulary posture.
albumincrystalloidscolloidshydroxyethyl starchfluid resuscitationsepsisseptic shockcritical caresystematic reviewmeta-analysismortalitytransfusionCritical Care / ICU
Background Information
Albumin fails to reduce mortality in critically ill patients.
Albumin is commonly used in critically ill patients, but its efficacy and safety compared to other treatments need clarification. Albumin did not reduce mortality compared to crystalloids, colloids, or standard care, and had higher serious adverse events (37.6% vs 33.5% with crystalloids). This review highlights that albumin may not offer mortality benefits and could increase serious adverse events, suggesting a need to reconsider its routine use in critical care. Albumin has no mortality benefit over alternatives and increases serious adverse events.
📊 Deep Analysis Available
Subscribers get the full breakdown: study design, outcomes, pharmacist implications, clinical pearls, GRADE evidence grade, and a downloadable PDF report.
Citation:Suárez TGP, Valencia MG, Saiz LC, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Albumin in Critically Ill Adults: A Systematic Review. Emergency medicine international. 2026;2026:7434218. doi:10.1155/emmi/7434218
Subscribers receive access to a complete clinical analysis, available online and as a downloadable PDF.
Executive Summary
Study Design
Patient Population
Primary Outcomes
Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile
Pharmacist Implications
Clinical Pearls
Limitations
Controversies & Evidence Gaps
Cost & Logistics
Want the full analysis?
Subscribe to PharmD Signal for unrestricted access to every deep analysis, plus PDF reports, GRADE evidence grades, and pharmacist implications for every article we publish.