Should Albumin Be Used to Correct Hypoalbuminemia in the Critically Ill? Yes

SUMMARY Hypoalbuminemia is frequent in critically ill patients and is associated with worse outcomes. From the limited clinical data available, it would seem that replenishing low albumin levels in hypoalbuminemic critically ill patients may be of benefit. Nevertheless, deciding exactly which patients to treat and what level of serum albumin to aim for remains uncertain. The results of prospective, randomized controlled trials are urgently needed to provide intensivists with sufficient, high‐grade evidence on which to base decisions regarding albumin use. In the meantime, however, there is no reason to ban the use of albumin in the critically ill patient.