[Human albumin solutions in the treatment of burned patients. Current indications]

A KEY ROLE: Albumin is a large molecule which plays an essential role in generating colloido-osmotic pressure which facilitates fluid retention in the intravascular space. HYPOALBUMINEMIA IN BURNED PATIENTS: Excessive loss is followed by deficient synthesis in the liver (preferential production of inflammatory proteins, insufficient protein intake). HUMAN ALBUMIN IN BURNED PATIENTS: By maintaining fluid in the vascular sector and favoring inflow from the interstitial space, human albumin maintains blood volume. Despite its value as the reference substance, reasonable use as become necessary because of cost-containment. Human albumin should be reserved for severely burned patients whose albuminemia falls to approximately 20 g/l (or proteinemia to 35 g/l).