Outcomes of Albumin Use in the Treatment of Acute Hepatorenal Disorders: A Single Center Experience

Abstract

Intravenous albumin is recommended for hepatorenal disorders (HRD), but individuals who do not recover renal function may be at a high risk for pulmonary edema. We reviewed outcomes by the amount of albumin infused in 93 patients not receiving dialysis at admission but being treated with intravenous albumin for acute HRD at our institution. Absence of renal recovery was defined as no decrease in serum creatinine and requirement of dialysis during hospitalization, and partial renal recovery was defined as a decrease in serum creatinine but not to prehospitalization levels. Associations of clinical factors including total albumin infused, presence of renal recovery, and oliguria with the development of pulmonary edema during hospitalization were determined using logistic regression. Of the 93 patients, 20 patients had complete renal recovery, 17 patients had partial renal recovery, and 56 patients showed no renal recovery. Most patients received 300-600 g of albumin. Overall, 47.3% of patients developed pulmonary edema (n=44), but the risk was 75% in patients with oliguria on presentation and no renal recovery versus 17% in those with no oliguria and complete renal recovery (P<0.001). In the logistic regression model, oliguria (3.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 9.81) and no renal recovery (3.38; 95% CI: 1.24, 9.16) were each associated with higher odds of pulmonary edema after adjustment for covariates. No association was noted between total albumin infused and pulmonary edema. In summary, absence of renal recovery and oliguria in patients with HRD receiving intravenous albumin is associated with a higher risk of pulmonary edema.