An Evaluation of Human Serum Albumin in the Treatment of Cirrhosis of the Liver 12

Results of albumin administration to patients with cirrhosis of the liver Paracenteses necessary* Before During After therapy therapy therapy Period of follow-up since therapy and end result Immediate improvement S. P. 6 days 0 0 0 Free of ascites-11 months. F. F. 5 days 0 0 0 Free of ascites-5 months. S. H. 6 days 0 0 0 Died of bleeding varices 1 week after treat- ment. J. G. 4 days 0 0 0 Recurrence of edema and ascites after 6 weeks. Died in coma 4 months later. Slow improvement G. D. 3 months 2(16) 0 0 Free of ascites-16 months. P. B. 5 weeks 1 0 0 Free of ascites-10 months. J. M. 7 weeks 3(17) 1 0 Moderate ascites not requiring tap-8 months.t A. D. 6 weeks 1 0 0 Recurrence of edema after 6 weeks. Free of ascites-I months. H. H. 8 davs 3(6) 0 -Recurrence of edema and ascites after 6 weeks. Refractory to retreatment. Died of bleed- ing varices during therapy .t Delayed improvement J. S. 6 months 6(15) 4(24) 0 Free of ascites-6 months. M. M. 7A months 4(23) 6(29) 0 Free of ascites-8 months.t Improvement only with low sodium diet E. G. 6 months 2(28) 3(33) 1 Died in coma 2 months later. V. L. 2 months 2(14) 1 -Died of bleeding varices during therapy. C. M. 7 months 2(15) 9(28) _ Still reforming ascites-under treatment. Failure MI. C. 3 months 2(30) 7(15) 4(19) Ascites increased with therapy. Died in coma 3 months later. F. G. 5 days 3(30) 0 0 No apparent early benefit. Died in coma 2A months later. H. G. 3 weeks 4(34) 1 -No apparent benefit. Died of bleeding varices 6 weeks later. N. C. 3 weeks 3(16) 2(7) Died in coma during therapy. R. A. 525 18 days 1 1 Died of epistaxis 48 hours after last albumin. P. W. 4' months 1 6(20) -Died in coma during therapy. Indeterminate C. F.