Background: To investigate the effect of albumin infusion on cirrhotic patients admitted for acute gastrointestinal bleeding.
Methods: Medical records of cirrhotic patients who admitted due to acute gastrointestinal bleeding through January 2009 to December 2018 were reviewed. Clinical data and the total amount of albumin and red blood cell used during hospitalization were recorded. For patients with rebleeding, the amount of albumin and red blood cell used before rebleeding was also documented. The primary outcome was the occurrence of rebleeding, and the second outcome was in-hospital mortality. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with rebleeding and in-hospital mortality.
Results: A total of 1503 cirrhotic patients were included in the analysis. There were 146 episodes of in-patient rebleeding occurred, while 81 patients died. Overall, more red blood cells and albumin were prescribed to patients who suffered rebleeding. In terms of the amount before rebleeding, the red blood cell was higher in patients with rebleeding, but the albumin infusion was similar. In the multivariate model, the albumin infusion before rebleeding was an independent risk factor associated with rebleeding (adjusted OR for ≤40 g vs 0 g, 0.469 [0.269-0.793], p = 0.006; adjusted OR for > 40 g vs 0 g, 0.272 [0.115-0.576], p = 0.001). In Child-Pugh C class patients, the use of albumin more than 40 g during hospitalization associated with a lower risk of in-patient mortality (adjusted OR for > 40 g vs 0 g, 0.136 [0.019-0.741], p = 0.031).
Conclusions: Albumin infusion was associated with a lower risk of rebleeding and in-hospital deaths in cirrhosis admitted for acute gastrointestinal bleeding.
Keywords: Albumin; Cirrhosis; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Portal hypertension.