Effect of albumin treatment duration on response rates and outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury

Abstract

Background & Aims

Guidelines recommended volume expansion with albumin for 48 hours for patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury (AKI) to correct hypovolemia and rule out prerenal AKI. A recent update in the ADQI-ICA consensus guidelines suggested shortening this duration to 24 hours, primarily based on expert opinion. This study aimed to evaluate the response rates to albumin treatment after 24 and 48 hours and to compare and assess the prognostic significance of three different definitions of response to albumin therapy.

Methods

Data from 127 prospectively recruited patients with cirrhosis and AKI from two German centers were analyzed. We examined three response definitions after 24 and 48 hours: (1) serum creatinine (SCr) decrease >0.3 mg/dl, (2) SCr decrease >25%, and (3) SCr decrease in at least one AKI stage. Follow-up was prolonged until liver transplantation, death or hemodialysis.

Results

Overall, 30-54% of the patients responded to albumin treatment depending on the definition, and response rates were balanced across AKI stages. Notably, a relevant number of patients who responded at 48 hours did not respond within the first 24 hours. Additional responses to albumin during the second 24 hours according to definitions 1, 2, and 3 were 28%, 22%, and 18%, respectively. Response according to definition 3 was associated with higher hemodialysis- and transplantation-free survival rates.

Conclusion

A substantial proportion of patients require 48 hours to respond to albumin treatment. Shortening the duration of albumin therapy may lead to overtreatment with terlipressin.

Impact and implications

This study provides valuable insights into the optimal duration of albumin treatment for patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury, challenging the recent recommendation to shorten the duration of albumin treatment. Furthermore, the optimal definition for response to albumin (reduction of at least one acute kidney injury stage) has been assessed. The results of this study are highly clinically relevant since shortening albumin therapy may lead to overtreatment with terlipressin, and evidence to support a specific definition of response to albumin was lacking. Clinicians can use these findings to predict treatment outcomes better, avoid fluid overload, and improve patient prognosis, while also considering the potential risks of early intervention with terlipressin.