Aluminum toxicity and albumin

During a study of priming solutions for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the intensive care nursery, it was discovered that those solutions using certain brands of 25% albumin contained aluminum levels within the toxic range. When the brand was changed to a brand known to have a lower aluminum (Al) content, a marked drop in priming solution Al levels was measured. The heat exchanger was examined as a possible source of soluble Al. No evidence of elevated Al levels was found in fluids perfusing this heat exchanger when compared with a stainless steel heat exchanger. The Al content of various blood products was evaluated along with various brands of 5% albumin and 25% albumin.