Intravenous albumin is commonly utilised in cardiovascular surgery for priming of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, volume replacement, or both, although the evidence to support this practice is uncertain. The aim was to compare i.v. albumin with synthetic colloids and crystalloids for paediatric and adult patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery for all-cause mortality and other perioperative outcomes.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of i.v. albumin compared with synthetic colloids and crystalloids on the primary outcome of all-cause mortality was conducted. Secondary outcomes included renal failure, blood loss, duration of hospital or intensive care unit stay, cardiac index, and blood component use; subgroups were analysed by age, comparator fluid, and intended use (priming, volume, or both). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRT) from 1946 to November 23, 2022.

Of 42 RCTs, mortality was assessed in 15 trials (2711 cardiac surgery patients) and the risk difference was 0.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.01 to 0.01, I²=0%. Among secondary outcomes, i.v. albumin resulted in smaller fluid balance, mean difference −0.55 L, 95% CI −1.06 to −0.4, I²=90% (nine studies, 1975 patients) and higher albumin concentrations, mean difference 7.77 g L⁻¹, 95% CI 3.73–11.8, I²=95% (six studies, 325 patients).

Intravenous albumin use was not associated with a difference in morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, when compared with comparator fluids. The lack of improvement in important outcomes with albumin and its higher cost suggests it should be used restrictively.