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Human Albumin for Resuscitation in Surgical Septic Shock: A Randomized Controlled Trial (ALBUS Study)
Sponsor: Mahidol University
Summary
This study will test whether giving human albumin to keep the blood albumin level above 3.5 g/dL, in addition to standard care, improves survival in patients with surgical septic shock. Septic shock is a life-threatening complication of infection that often requires urgent surgery and intensive care. Current treatment guidelines recommend intravenous fluids and medications to support blood pressure, but the best type of fluid is still uncertain. Human albumin is a natural protein in the blood that helps maintain fluid balance and has anti-inflammatory effects. Previous studies suggest that low albumin levels are linked with worse outcomes in septic patients, and that albumin infusion might improve recovery, but results are mixed and evidence in surgical septic shock patients is lacking. In this randomized controlled trial, adult patients with surgical septic shock admitted to the surgical intensive care unit will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care alone or standard care plus 20% human albumin solution for up to 3 days. The main outcome is survival at 28 days. Secondary outcomes include length of ICU and hospital stay, need for dialysis, ventilator-free days, vasopressor-free days, fluid balance, gastrointestinal recovery, and adverse reactions. The results of this study will help determine whether targeted albumin replacement is beneficial in critically ill surgical patients with septic shock and could guide future fluid resuscitation strategies.
Official title: A Study of the Additional Human Albumin During Resuscitation in Patients With Surgical Septic Shock in Surgical Intensive Care Units: A Randomized Controlled Trial (The ALBumin Use in Surgical Septic Shock, ALBUS Study)
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
304
Start Date
2025-12-01
Completion Date
2030-12-31
Last Updated
2025-11-19
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Human Albumin 20% Solution
Intravenous 20% human albumin solution (50 mL per vial). In the experimental arm, patients receive 50 mL over 2 hours on admission, followed by additional doses for up to 72 hours, titrated to maintain serum albumin \>3.5 g/dL. If albumin is 2.5-3.4 g/dL, 1 vial every 12 hours is given; if \<2.5 g/dL, 1 vial every 6 hours is given. Infusion is withheld if there is fluid overload, pulmonary edema, or severe hypernatremia.
Standard Care (in control arm)
Patients in this group will receive standard sepsis management according to international guidelines. This includes source control, intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, balanced crystalloids, vasopressors, and adjunctive therapies (e.g., corticosteroids, thiamine, ventilatory and renal support) as clinically indicated. Albumin may be given if separate indications arise (e.g., perioperative use, severe hypoalbuminemia \<2.5 g/dL with capillary leakage), at the discretion of the treating physician.
Locations (1)
Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Bangkok, Bangkoknoi, Thailand