Effects of Maintaining Steady Albumin Levels (TAT 4) on Survival and Liver Related Complications in Cirrhosis With Ascites

Effects of Maintaining Steady Albumin Levels by Targeted Albumin Therapy (TAT 4) on Survival and Liver Related Complications in Cirrhosis With Ascites and Low Serum Albumin Level- a Randomized Controlled Trial

Investigators intend to assess the utility of regular albumin infusions to maintain a targeted serum albumin level of 4.0 g/dl in newly detected cirrhotic patients with low albumin levels (<2.8g/dl) with ascites.

Cirrhosis is characterized by progressive deterioration in liver functions. Liver's synthetic functions are inferred by serum albumin and INR estimation. Lower albumin level is a marker of severe liver disease and probability of worsening ascites, hepatorenal syndrome with increased risk for infections. Of the three recent RCTs on utility of long-term administration of albumin, two showed improvement in survival. The studies had included different patient populations (diuretic refractory ascites, high dose diuretics and patients on liver transplant waiting list) with different albumin infusion protocols and different end-points. These studies were done in advanced cases of cirrhosis. There is limited data on the utility of regular albumin infusions in early hepatic decompensation (albumin levels-<2.8g/dl with ascites) and the effect of maintaining a targeted albumin level on survival or liver related side effects. Investigators are trying to address this issue by starting regular albumin infusions at an earlier stage of liver decompensation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Newly detected cirrhotic patients aged more than 18 years
• Cirrhosis defined by standard clinical, analytical and/or histological criteria
• Serum albumin level < 2.8g/dl with or without ascites
• Who would agree to give written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Uncontrolled HTN (sys>150/ dis >90 mmHg) or h/o any drug therapy for HTN
• Prior h/o Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)
• Hepatocellular Carcinoma
• Active alcohol abuse within 3 months
• Patients presenting as Acute on Chronic Liver Failure
• Extrahepatic organ failure
• Known case of chronic heart failure or respiratory failure
• Diagnosed Chronic Kidney Disease
• Patients with hydrothorax
• Prior liver transplant recipient
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection
• Use of albumin infusion in the last one month
• CTP>12, MELD>28
• Total Bilirubin >3 g/dl
• Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy at Presentation