[Immediate and late complications of human albumin use]

Human albumin, considered as the most physiological solution for volume loading, devoid of viral risk due to the procedure of preparation, presents an excellent innocuousness. Some anaphylactoid reactions, ranging from erythema to cardiac arrest, have been reported. However, these are less frequent now, with the current techniques of purification. Renal, cardiac and respiratory complications may occur more frequently in patients presenting with severe injuries. The contamination of albumin by metals, especially by aluminium, is well documented. It requires appropriate procedures of manufacturing, and the information of the users about the residual concentration of aluminium. Albumin is a replacement solution which is safe with regard to the infectious risk, insofar as the production process is well controlled. However, human albumin should not escape the vigilance rules which guarantee, in the long term, an optimal safety.