Romanelli RG, Villa GL, Barletta G, Vizzutti F, Lanini F, Arena U, Boddi V, Tarquini R, Pantaleo P, Gentilini P, Laffi G. Long-term albumin infusion improves survival in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: An unblinded randomized trial. World J Gastroenterol 2006; 12(9): 1403-1407 [PMID: 16552809 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i9.1403]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Roberto G Romanelli, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence School of Medicine, Viale Morgagni, 85-I-50134 Florence, Italy. r.romanelli@dmi.unifi.it
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Rapid Communication
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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 7, 2006; 12(9): 1403-1407 Published online Mar 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i9.1403
Long-term albumin infusion improves survival in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: An unblinded randomized trial
Roberto Giulio Romanelli, Giorgio La Villa, Giuseppe Barletta, Francesco Vizzutti, Fabio Lanini, Umberto Arena, Vieri Boddi, Roberto Tarquini, Pietro Pantaleo, Paolo Gentilini, Giacomo Laffi
Roberto Giulio Romanelli, Giorgio La Villa, Francesco Vizzutti, Fabio Lanini, Umberto Arena, Roberto Tarquini, Pietro Pantaleo, Paolo Gentilini, Giacomo Laffi, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
Giuseppe Barletta, Department of Heart and Vessels, University of Florence School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
Vieri Boddi, Department of Public Health, University of Florence School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
Supported by grants from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research and the University of Florence, Italy
Correspondence to: Roberto G Romanelli, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence School of Medicine, Viale Morgagni, 85-I-50134 Florence, Italy. r.romanelli@dmi.unifi.it
Telephone: +39-55-4296459 Fax: +39-55-417123
Received: April 27, 2005 Revised: May 15, 2005 Accepted: July 20, 2005 Published online: March 7, 2006
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the effects of long-term albumin administration on survival, recurrence of ascites and onset of other complications.
METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients admitted for first-onset ascites were randomized to receive diuretics plus human albumin 25 g/wk in the first year and 25 g every two wk thereafter (group 1) or diuretics alone (group 2). The primary endpoint was survival without liver transplantation. Secondary endpoints were recurrence of ascites and occurrence of other complications.
RESULTS: Median follow-up was 84 (2-120) mo. Albumin-treated patients had significantly greater cumulative survival rate (Breslow test = 7.05, P = 0.0078) and lower probability of ascites recurrence (51% versus 94%, P < 0.0001). Chronic albumin infusion resulted in a mean increase in survival of 16 mo.
CONCLUSION: Long-term albumin administration after first-onset ascites significantly improves patients’ survival and decreases the risk of ascites recurrence.
