Concludes that addition of Albumin to crystalloid prime reduces bleeding following cardiac by-pass surgery. At first glance looks like a big study
(n=154 with crystalloid and low dose 20% albumin and n=223 with crystalloid alone). Important to read not because of what it tells us but because of what it doesn’t tell us. NOT a prospective randomized double blind trial but rather a retrospective cohort study. Furthermore it is a
retrospective study where 160 (30%) out of 537 patients were excluded from analysis based on post-hoc exclusion criteria. Worth a quick read if you are in this field of research or clinical practice. The title poses a good question. The study reported does not answer it.
– Monty Mythen
