Albumin Infusion Targets on Mortality in Patients With Abdominal Sepsis

Research Background Introduction to Sepsis and Abdominal Sepsis Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated immune response to infection. Abdominal sepsis, originating from intra-abdominal infections, is particularly challenging due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. The mortality rate for abdominal sepsis ranges from 7.6% to 36.0%, and it can reach up to 50% if it progresses to septic shock. The presence of hypoalbuminemia further complicates the clinical course and prognosis of sepsis patients.

Role of Albumin in Sepsis Albumin is a major plasma protein with several critical functions, including maintaining oncotic pressure, transporting various substances, and modulating the immune response. Hypoalbuminemia, defined as serum albumin levels below 30 g/L, is commonly observed in critically ill patients and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. In sepsis, hypoalbuminemia may result from increased vascular permeability, decreased synthesis, or increased catabolism of albumin. Previous studies have suggested that hypoalbuminemia is an independent risk factor for mortality in abdominal sepsis. However, the specific impact of hypoalbuminemia on mortality in patients with abdominal sepsis remains underexplored.

Objective of the Study Given the high mortality rates associated with abdominal sepsis and the potential impact of hypoalbuminemia on patient outcomes, this study aims to investigate the association between baseline serum albumin levels and 28-day mortality in patients with abdominal sepsis complicated by hypoalbuminemia. The study also explores the specific level of albumin at which mortality is most affected.

Methods Study Design This study was conducted as a retrospective cohort study in a comprehensive ICU with 79 beds at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University. The study was granted exemption from informed consent by the Ethics Committee due to its retrospective nature and was approved under protocol number NFEC-2023-470. The study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki, and all patient data were anonymized to ensure privacy.

Study Population The study included patients aged ≥18 years with abdominal sepsis admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine from September 2017 to February 2022. The inclusion criteria were: intra-abdominal infection, sepsis/septic shock, hypoalbuminemia (plasma albumin level <30 g/L upon admission), and infusion of human albumin within 24 hours of ICU admission. Exclusion criteria included: no hospitalization record, readmission to the ICU, ICU stay <24 hours, and conditions requiring albumin therapy (e.g., cirrhosis with ascites, post-liver transplantation, nephrotic syndrome).

Diagnostic Criteria Intra-Abdominal Infections (IAIs): Based on the 2005 Sepsis Consensus, IAIs were diagnosed if clinical manifestations (abdominal pain, systemic inflammatory response) were consistent with IAIs and laboratory tests of intra-abdominal samples met infection criteria. IAIs were confirmed by microbiological culture or surgical findings.

Sepsis-3.0 Criteria: Sepsis was defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score increase of ≥2 after infection was used as the clinical criterion for sepsis-related organ dysfunction. Septic shock was diagnosed by persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors to maintain a mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥65 mmHg and serum lactate >2 mmol/L after fluid resuscitation.

Data Collection Demographic and clinical data were collected, including age, gender, BMI, pre-existing conditions, smoking/alcohol history, and etiology. Vital signs, baseline vasopressor doses, laboratory tests (albumin levels at Day 0 and Day 1), fluid balance, albumin infusion doses, and vasopressor doses within 24 hours were recorded. APACHE II and SOFA scores at admission, renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital length of stay, and 28-day mortality were documented.

Study Endpoints Primary Endpoint: 28-day mortality rate. Secondary Endpoints: Impact of baseline serum albumin on fluid balance, norepinephrine dosage, mechanical ventilation duration, acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) use, and ICU/hospital length of stay.

Statistical Analysis Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± SD (normal distribution) or median (IQR25-IQR75) (non-normal distribution), and categorical variables as n (%). Comparisons between survivors and non-survivors were made using independent samples t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. The predictive value of baseline serum albumin for 28-day mortality was assessed using ROC curve analysis, with the optimal cutoff determined by the Youden index. Cox regression analysis identified mortality risk factors, with factors significant at P<0.05 in univariate analysis included in multivariate analysis. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.