ABRUPT2 Trial: 5% Albumin Reduced Fluid Requirements in Major Burn Resuscitation

Overview

A large burn can trigger a severe form of shock in which blood vessels leak fluid, tissues swell, and the body requires rapid intravenous resuscitation to maintain circulation and organ perfusion. This study, ABRUPT2, tested whether adding 5% albumin to lactated Ringer’s solution during the first 48 hours after major burn injury could reduce the amount of fluid needed compared with lactated Ringer’s alone.

The trial was designed as a prospective, randomized, multicenter study, meaning patients were enrolled ahead of time, assigned by chance to one of two treatment strategies, and treated across many burn centers. The key finding was that 5% albumin significantly reduced fluid requirements during early burn resuscitation without worsening major outcomes such as death, acute kidney injury, or time to healing.