Critical Care
Human albumin constitutes about 55% of all plasma proteins. It performs many functions including transport of small molecules in the blood and binding with toxins and heavy metals to prevent damage they might cause otherwise. One of albumin's major roles is maintaining colloid osmotic or oncotic pressure, which is essential to keeping fluids in the bloodstream instead of leaking out into other human tissues. Providing albumin by intravenous administration can correct low albumin levels. Albumin is a protein synthesized by the liver. It is the most abundant protein in human plasma.1 Normally it constitutes about 55% of all plasma proteins. Albumin performs multiple functions, including transport of many small molecules in the blood, such as bilirubin, calcium, and magnesium. Albumin also binds toxins and heavy metals, thereby preventing damage they might otherwise cause.