Transfusion-associated acute lung injury following albumin treatment in liver disease.

Background and objectives: Transfusion-related acute lung injury is an infrequent adverse reaction observed in patients receiving blood products. The lung injury can range in severity and can be associated with both mortality and mortality. All blood products except albumin have been linked to cases of transfusion-related acute lung injury. In fact, albumin may be used as a salvage modality in severe transfusion-related acute lung injury. We report an alcoholic patient who developed lung injury following treatment with albumin in the setting of hypoalbuminaemia.

Materials and methods: A 41-year-old male with alcoholic liver disease was admitted for severe ascites and alcoholic hepatitis. Chest x-ray showed small pleural effusions at the lung bases with no overt pulmonary oedema. He received high doses of furosemide for lower extremity oedema. The patient received a total of two albumin infusions to augment the diuresis effect.

Results: He subsequently developed acute hypoxic respiratory failure with imaging showing interstitial and airspace abnormalities concerning for pulmonary oedema. He showed no additional signs of volume overload and was treated supportively until the condition improved.

Conclusion: This is the first reported case of albumin-associated lung injury proximally related to albumin infusion. We aim to increase awareness of this possible sequelae among physicians.