Human albumin solutions: consensus statements for use in selected clinical situations. Subcommittee of the Victorian Drug Usage Advisory Committee.

OBJECTIVE

To establish consensus statements for the use of human albumin solutions in clinical situations identified as responsible for the major use of human albumin products.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Working parties comprised of specialists in intensive care, renal medicine, cardiothoracic anaesthesia, gastroenterology, haematology and transfusion medicine, were convened to develop consensus statements for the use of human albumin solutions.

RESULTS

Specific statements have been formulated to guide the clinician in the use of human albumin solutions for hypovolaemia or hypoalbuminaemia (particularly in intensive care units), cardiothoracic surgery, therapeutic plasma exchange and patients with ascites or protein-losing states in gastroenterology.

CONCLUSIONS

These statements, with wide dissemination, will promote consistency in the use of human albumin products in clinical practice and become a reference for future audits on the use of these products.