Albumin and furosemide therapy in hypoproteinemic patients with acute lung injury*

Hypoproteinemia, fluid retention, and weight gain are associated with development of acute lung injury and mortality in critically ill patients, without proof of cause and effect. We designed a clinical trial to determine whether diuresis and colloid replacement in hypoproteinemic patients with acute lung injury would improve pulmonary physiology.Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.All adult intensive care units from two university hospitals.Thirty-seven mechanically-ventilated patients with acute lung injury and serum total protein