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JAMA. 1998;280:1128.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

The FDA has issued a letter to alert physicians to recent literature reports that question the medical benefit of administration of albumin or plasma protein fraction (PPF) to seriously ill patients (http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/1998/plasma.htm). One meta-analysis showed an excess mortality for combined groups of patients with hypovolemia, burns, or hypoproteinemia who received albumin instead of, or in addition, to crystalloid solutions. Until results from further, well-focused studies are available, the FDA urges physicians to exercise discretion in the use of albumin and PPF based on their own assessment of these reports.

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Editor's Note: Written inquiries may be directed to the Office of Health Affairs, FDA, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Ln, Rockville, MD 20857.

Stuart L. Nightingale, MD
Associate Commissioner for Health Affairs