Objective: To determine whether the early administration of albumin as an expander and antioxidant would improve survival on the 28th day for septic shock patients.

Design: Prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled versus saline, stratified on nosocomial infection and center.

Setting: 27 Intensive Care Units (ICU) in France

Coordinator: Pr J.P. Mira and Dr J. Charpentier - Cochin Hospital- Paris

Patients: 800 patients could be included during the first 6 hours of their septic shock.

The primary outcome: Mortality during the 28 day period after randomization. The secondary outcomes: Evaluation of SOFA score, ventilator-free days, dialysis free days, catecholamine free days, days of hospitalisation, incidence of nosocomial infections.

The albuminemia of all patients is requested before the treatment until Day 4 post treatment.

The treatment is: Vialebex 20% 100ml every 8 hours during 3 days versus saline 100ml every 8 hours during 3 days.

The first patient will be in July 2006, the last patient expected is on July 2009.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Over 18 years old
• Septic shock < 6 hours
• Agreement of patients

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to albumin
• Weight > 120 kg
• Non septic shock
• Burned
• Cirrhosis
• Albumin perfusion 48 hours before randomization
• Pregnant women
• Cardiac dysfunction New York Heart Association (NYHA) 3 or 4
• Patients with therapeutic limitation