Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein synthesized in the liver, while immunoglobulins are antibodies produced by plasma cells in the body. Human albumins (HA) and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) are obtained through isolation from donor plasma. The use of HA is very broad in practice but, according to guidelines, primarily limited to administration after large-volume paracentesis in cirrhotic ascites, in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, as a diagnostic tool to differentiate between hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) and prerenal kidney injury, and in the treatment of HRS in combination with vasoconstrictor. In certain cases, the use of HA is also justified in patients with sepsis and hypovolemia. IVIG is used for immune modulation and replacement therapy in immunodeficiency disorders.
The aim of the study was to analyse the use of HA and IVIG at the Murska Sobota General Hospital from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024. The study focused on the most common therapeutic indications, safety outcomes of treatments, usage by departments and economic aspects of therapy. For patients receiving HA, we also monitored prior or concurrent use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and gelatine derivates, and analysed how their use influenced treatment outcomes.
We found that in most cases the use of HA did not align with the indications based on guidelines and the latest studies. The most common therapeutic indication was sepsis. Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurred in 17.6% of patients treated with HA and 4.9% experienced thromboembolic complications. During treatment or up to 30 days after HA treatment, 37.0% of patients died. The cost of HA therapy amounted to 64,138.96 eur, with a median treatment cost per patient of 281.62 eur.
In patients who received HES concurrently or prior to HA, we observed a higher incidence of AKI and increased mortality compared to patients treated only with HA or HA in combination with gelatine derivatives. According to the recommendations of the European Medicines Agency, HES was inappropriately used in at least 66.7% of cases.
The most common therapeutic indication for IVIG was arthritis. Among complications associated with IVIG use, the documentation reported only nausea and vomiting in one female patient and elevated blood pressure in one male patient. The cost of IVIG therapy amounted to 117,440.20 eur, with a median treatment cost per patient of 8070.74 eur.
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