Role of albumin in cirrhosis: from a hospitalist's perspective

Albumin, a negatively charged globular protein encoded on chromosome 4, is one of the most abundant proteins in the plasma and accounts for approximately 75% of plasma oncotic pressure. The role of albumin in the management of various disease states has shown to be beneficial historically. Low serum...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of community hospital internal medicine perspectives 2017-01, Vol.7 (1), p.8-14
Main Authors: Walayat, Saqib, Martin, Daniel, Patel, Jaymon, Ahmed, Umair, N. Asghar, Muhammad, Pai, Aparna U., Dhillon, Sonu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Albumin
Ascitic fluid
Chromosome 4
Cirrhosis
Coding
Complications
Disease control
Gene expression
hepato-renal syndrome
Hepatology
Historical account
Ischemia
Liver cirrhosis
Liver diseases
Medical prognosis
Mortality
Peritonitis
Pharmacology
Proteins
Review
Sepsis
Serum albumin
spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
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Summary:Albumin, a negatively charged globular protein encoded on chromosome 4, is one of the most abundant proteins in the plasma and accounts for approximately 75% of plasma oncotic pressure. The role of albumin in the management of various disease states has shown to be beneficial historically. Low serum albumin is a predictor of mortality and poor outcomes. In cirrhotics undergoing paracentesis, albumin infusion prevents rapid re-accumulation of ascitic fluid while simultaneously decreasing the risk of post-paracentesis related circulatory dysfunction. Additionally, albumin is utilized in patients with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Overall, albumin appears to be an effective pharmacological agent in the management of cirrhosis and its complications.
ISSN:2000-9666
2000-9666
DOI:10.1080/20009666.2017.1302704