Not Yet RecruitingPhase 3

Human Albumin for Resuscitation in Surgical Septic Shock: A Randomized Controlled Trial (ALBUS Study)

Thailand304 participantsStarted 2025-12-01

Plain-language summary

This study will test whether giving human albumin to keep the blood albumin level above 3.5 g/dL, in addition to standard care, improves survival in patients with surgical septic shock. Septic shock is a life-threatening complication of infection that often requires urgent surgery and intensive care. Current treatment guidelines recommend intravenous fluids and medications to support blood pressure, but the best type of fluid is still uncertain. Human albumin is a natural protein in the blood that helps maintain fluid balance and has anti-inflammatory effects. Previous studies suggest that low albumin levels are linked with worse outcomes in septic patients, and that albumin infusion might improve recovery, but results are mixed and evidence in surgical septic shock patients is lacking. In this randomized controlled trial, adult patients with surgical septic shock admitted to the surgical intensive care unit will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care alone or standard care plus 20% human albumin solution for up to 3 days. The main outcome is survival at 28 days. Secondary outcomes include length of ICU and hospital stay, need for dialysis, ventilator-free days, vasopressor-free days, fluid balance, gastrointestinal recovery, and adverse reactions. The results of this study will help determine whether targeted albumin replacement is beneficial in critically ill surgical patients with septic shock and could guide future fluid resuscitation strategies.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). * Diagnosis or suspicion of surgical infection requiring surgery or surgical intervention within 48 hours of ICU admission. * Septic shock, defined as: * Mean arterial pressure \<65 mmHg after adequate fluid resuscitation or requirement for vasopressors to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥65 mmHg for at least 1 hour, and * Evidence of organ dysfunction (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score increase ≥2) or signs of tissue hypoperfusion (serum lactate \>2 mmol/L, oliguria \<0.5 mL/kg/h \>2 h, or clinical evidence of poor peripheral perfusion). Exclusion Criteria: * Refusal of consent or do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status. * More than 24 hours since meeting inclusion criteria. * Contraindication to albumin infusion or history of severe allergic reaction to albumin. * Conditions where albumin infusion is already indicated (e.g., large-volume paracentesis \>5 L, hepatorenal syndrome, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, plasmapheresis, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, protein-losing enteropathy, severe burns, post-cardiac or thoracic surgery). * Evidence of fluid overload or pulmonary edema (bilateral crepitations, chest infiltrates consistent with pulmonary edema, Central Venous Pressure \>15 mmHg, Pulmonary Artery Occlusion Pressure \[PAOP\] \>18 mmHg, or N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide \[NT-proBNP\] \>900 pg/mL) * End-stage renal disease or receiving chr…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

28-Day All-Cause Mortality

Timeframe: 28 days after randomization

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07212582

SponsorMahidol University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-12-31

Contact for this trial

Nuanprae Kitisin, MD

+66896767706 nuanprae.kit@mahidol.ac.th

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