Assessment of the Effect of Albumin Compared with Placebo on Functional Outcome in Subject's Post Brain Infarct in the Middle Cerebral Artery Territory in Patients Referred to Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz

Stroke is the third common cause of mortality and the most common cause of morbidity in elderly persons. Albumin is a treatment indicated for post-stroke recovery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of albumin on the functional outcome at the end of the third month in post-stroke subjects. Subjects and

This is a double-blinded, placebo controlled, randomized study of 139 subjects included within 5 hr of stroke onset. All subjects were given either albumin (20%) or placebo (isovolumic normal saline) with at a dose of 1g/Kg IV infusion over 2 hr. Barthel index score and modified Rankin scale were used for assessment at baseline and at 3 months.

Albumin administration had significant effect in reduction of length of hospitality (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in mortality rate between albumin and placebo group (P>0.05). Subjects in the treatment group showed a significant difference in the rank of MRS: 61.6 vs 78.2 in the placebo group and mean change of the Barthel Index: 38 versus 28, respectively. The time from stroke onset to albumin therapy initiation is effective in clinical improvement of patients (P<0.05).

It seems that administration of albumin has significant effect in improving the clinical function of the patients and reduces the length of hospitalization, especially in smaller strokes and when treatment is initiated early.