What to know about albumin
Albumin is a protein synthesized by the liver. It is most abundant in human plasma.1 Normally it constitutes about 55% of all plasma proteins. Albumin performs many functions, including transport of many small molecules in the blood, such as bilirubin, calcium, and magnesium. Albumin also binds toxins and heavy metals, thereby preventing damage they might otherwise cause. One of albumin's major roles is in the maintenance of colloid osmotic or oncotic pressure. This pressure is essential to keeping fluids in the bloodstream instead of leaking out into the tissues.1
Possible causes of a decrease in the level of albumin in the blood include liver or kidney disease or increased loss of albumin from the circulation (eg, due to shock). A diseased liver produces less albumin. In kidney disease, albumin can escape into the urine in large amounts. Severe malnutrition or a very low protein diet can also reduce the albumin level.1
If the concentration of albumin gets very low, fluid moves from the blood vessels into the tissues, resulting in swelling in the ankles (edema). This fluid can also accumulate in the abdomen (ascites) and in the lungs (pulmonary edema).1
Providing albumin by intravenous administration can improve these problems and correct the low albumin level. Albumin for therapeutic use is extracted from collected human blood plasma by the use of a fractionation process that separates albumin from plasma and other plasma components.2 Albumin is prepared as a sterile solution, contains no preservatives, and is heated to prevent transmitted viruses.3
Product information
The products discussed herein may only be dispensed with a prescription from a doctor or authorized healthcare provider.
Albumin and Plasma Protein Fraction (PPF) are derived from Fraction V of the Cohn-Oncley fractionation process. They act as "plasma expanders" in situations where large amounts of blood (and therefore protein) are lost as a result of trauma, disease or surgery. When someone goes into hypovolemic shock from a burn, wound, concussion, or even cardiovascular collapse, blood volume is either lost by bleeding or fluid migrates from the blood vessels into other areas in the body. The resulting loss of blood pressure and circulation can be fatal if fluid is not either replaced or drawn back into the blood stream.
Albumin (human) 5%, USP will expand the circulatory volume by an amount approximately equal to the volume infused. Albumin (human) 25% will expand the volume three to four times of the volume actually administered.
PPF, which more closely resembles plasma in its constituents, contains albumin plus alpha and beta globulins. PPF is used to replace the lost fluids. PPF's primary use is treatment of shock where replacement of lost fluids is necessary (such as severely burned patients).
The decision to use albumin or PPF is solely based on the physician's preference. Different percentage concentrations of albumin are used in different situations.
For more information about Talecris' Albumin and Plasma Protein Fraction products, go to http://www.plasbumin.com/.
Plasma Volume Deficiency Information
Talecris Biotherapeutics' albumin products are used to manage serious and often life-threatening conditions such as shock and blood loss due to trauma, burns, and surgery*. Since the beginning of albumin production almost 6 decades ago, Talecris Biotherapeutics has been conscious of the responsibility associated with the production of these products.
* See complete prescribing information.
Shock associated with hemorrhage, surgery, trauma, burns, bacteremia, renal failure, and cardiovascular collapse can be treated with Plasbumin®-5, a sterile 5% albumin (human) solution. Plasbumin®-5 is iso-oncotic with normal plasma and will expand the circulating blood volume by an amount approximately equal to the volume infused. It must be administered intravenously. The volume administered and the speed of administration should be adapted to the response of the individual patient. No preservatives are added to the product.
Hypoproteinemic states involving reduced oncotic pressure, with or without accompanying edema can be treated with Plasbumin®-25, a sterile 25% albumin (human) solution. It can also be used as a plasma volume expander. Plasbumin®-25 is hyperoncotic and will expand the plasma volume by three to four times the volume administered. Plasbumin®-25 withdraws fluid from the interstitial spaces, providing the patient is normally hydrated interstitially or there is interstitial edema. It must be administered intravenously. No preservatives are added to the product.
Shock due to burns, crushing injuries, abdominal emergencies, and any other cause where there is a predominant loss of plasma fluids and not red blood cells can be treated with Plasmanate®, a sterile 5% protein fraction (human) solution containing approximately 88% normal human albumin, 12% alpha and beta globulins, and not more than 1% gamma globulin as determined by electrophoresis. It must be administered intravenously. No preservatives are added to the product.
References:
| 1. |
|
Peters Theodore, Jr: All about Albumin, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Medical Applications. Academic Press. 1996, 1 – 432 |
| 2. |
|
Cohn EJ, Strong LE, Hughes WL et al: Preparation and Properties of Serum and Plasma Protein. IV. A System for the Separation into Fractions of the Protein and Lipoprotein Components of Biological Tissues and Fluids. J AM Chem Soc . 1946; 68, 459 |
| 3. |
|
Albuminloesung vom Menschen: Europäisches Arzneibuch Ausgabe 1997 - Pharmacopoea Europaea, Amtliche Deutsche Ausgabe, S. 445-447 (DAV, Stuttgart/Govi-Verlag, Eschborn) und Supplement 1999 (Reagenzienteil) |
Important Safety Information
These products are made from human plasma. Products made from human plasma may contain infectious agents, such as viruses, that can cause disease. The risk that such products will transmit an infectious agent has been reduced by screening plasma donors for prior exposure to certain viruses, by testing for the presence of certain current virus infections, and by inactivating and/or removing certain viruses. Despite these measures, such products can still potentially transmit disease.
Certain patients, eg, those with a history of congestive cardiac failure, renal insufficiency, or stabilized chronic anemia, are at special risk of developing circulatory overload. Albumin is contraindicated in patients with a history of allergic reaction to albumin human products are made from human plasma. Products made from human plasma may contain infectious agents, such as viruses that can cause disease.
View Plasbumin/Plasmanate Prescribing Information.
|
