Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: The Use of Human Albumin for the Treatment of Ascites in Patients With Hepatic Cirrhosis: a Multicenter, Open-label Randomized Clinical Trial
Brief Summary: Ascites is the most frequent complication of liver cirrhosis and carries a significant worsening of the prognosis. Approximately 10% of patients per year develop refractory ascites because of either the lack of response to medical treatment or the onset of diuretic-induced complications that preclude the use of an effective dosage. Refractory ascites is associated with an increased incidence of severe complications of cirrhosis. Thus, the overall probability of survival of patients with refractory ascites is very poor, being approximately 30% at 2 years. Repeated large-volume paracentesis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), and liver transplantation represent the therapeutic alternatives for refractory ascites. As renal sodium retention and ascites formation are the consequence of portal hypertension and effective hypovolemia, the preservation of the central blood volume represents a major purpose in the management of patients with advanced cirrhosis. Although albumin is responsible for about 70% of the plasma oncotic pressure, the absence of large multicenter randomized studies together with its high cost explains why albumin infusion is not usually included among the therapeutic options for difficult-to-treat ascites.

The objective of the present study is to define the effectiveness of the prolonged administration of human albumin in the treatment of liver cirrhosis with ascitic decompensation. This goal will be reached by performing a multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of chronic albumin administration on top of standard medical treatment versus standard medical treatment alone in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

The study will be conducted in 44 Italian clinical centers and will enrol 440 in- or out-patients affected by liver cirrhosis with uncomplicated ascites who will be randomized with a ratio of 1:1. The duration of the study for each patient is 18 months from randomization. The enrolment of patients will last 18 months and will be competitive between centers. Treatment will be interrupted if one of the following condition occur: orthotopic liver transplantation, TIPS, need of 3 paracentesis/month (indication to TIPS), patient refusal to continue, and medical judgement.

An ancillary optional study will be performed in a subset of patients to analyze the non-oncotic properties of albumin.


Options:
A: Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of liver cirrhosis (based on clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and ultrasonographic features) and uncomplicated ascites according to the criteria of the International Ascites Club (1).
* Ongoing diuretic treatment with an anti-mineralocorticoid drug at a dose of 200 mg/day and furosemide of 25 mg/day, stable for at least 4 days prior enrollment, not inducing response (defined according to the criteria of the International Ascites Club as body weight reduction ≥ 800 grams in the 4 days prior enrollment). With this limitation, we aim to identify a fairly homogeneous population with a relatively advanced stage of the disease that will likely have more benefit from albumin administration, as also suggested by Gentilini at al. (17).
* Ongoing diuretic treatment with an anti-mineralocorticoid drug at a dose \> 200 mg/day and furosemide \> 25mg/day, independent of response to treatment.
* EGDS performed in the last 12 months, abdominal ultrasonography performed in the last 30 days, and laboratory tests required by the protocol in the last 7 days.

Exclusion criteria

* Age lower than 18 years
* No written informed consent
* Inability to follow written consent
* Established diagnosis of refractory ascites, as defined by the IAC (1)
* Need of 2 or more paracentesis during the last month
* Serum creatinine \> 1.5 mg/dl
* Organic nephropathy, as defined by the IAC (1)
* Hepatorenal syndrome type 1 in the last 15 days
* Gastrointestinal bleeding in the last 15 days
* Ongoing endoscopic eradication after a recent gastro-esophageal variceal bleeding
* Bacterial or fungal infection, including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, in the last 7 days
* Hepatic encephalopathy grade III/IV
* Budd-Chiari Syndrome
* Patients with TIPS or other surgical porto-caval shunts
* Known and suspected active hepatocellular carcinoma or other malignancies
* Previous liver transplantation
* Ongoing alcohol abuse (patients should be abstinent for at least three months)
* Antiviral therapy for hepatitis B started in the last 6 months
* Heart failure
* Respiratory failure as defined as PO2 \<60 mmHg
* Known or suspected hypersensitivity to albumin
* Previous albumin administration given for the treatment of ascites in the last 30 days
* Patients enrolled in other clinical study for the treatment of ascites
* Use of experimental drugs for the last 2 months prior the inclusion in the present study
* Pregnancy and breast-feeding
* Females of child-bearing potential are excluded unless they meet one of the following criteria:

  * Post-menopausal for 6 months or more, and if post-menopausal for less than 2 years, a negative pregnancy test
  * Surgical sterilisation for more than one month duration and a negative pregnancy test
  * Intrauterine device in combination with a secondary barrier (e.g. diaphragm, condom or spermicide) and a negative pregnancy test
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with cirrhosis in the waiting list for liver transplant
* Patients with ascites or diuretic treatment
* To have written inform consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Systolic blood pressure ≥150 mmHg and or diastolic blood pressure≥90 mmHg
* To have been treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or surgical shunts
* Antibiotic treatment in the previous week before the inclusion in the study
* Respiratory or cardiac failure
* HIV positive
C: Inclusion Criteria:60 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and refractory or recurrent ascites with stable renal function ( creatinine level \<1.5mg/dl for at least 7 days ).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of gastrointestinal bleeding, HRS, hepatic encephalopathy of grade 2 or higher or infection within 1 month preceding the study or during the study, presence of diabetes, intrinsic renal or cardiovascular disease or arterial hypertension on history and physical examination, abnormal urine analysis, chest radiograph or electrocardiogram, presence of hepatocellular carcinoma or portal vein thrombosis or treatment with drugs with known effects on systemic and renal hemodynamics within 7 days of inclusion .
D: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males and non-pregnant females (determined by serum pregnancy test) ≥ 18 years of age. Women of childbearing age must be prepared to use at least 1 effective (≤ 1% failure rate) method of contraception during the course of the study
2. Cirrhosis of the liver defined by histological and/or clinical, and/or radiological criteria
3. Presenting refractory or recurrent ascites and requiring periodic large volume paracentesis (large volume defined as \> 5 L to accord with teh clinical guidance of EASL, European Association for the Study of the Liver, which recommends withdrawal of 5 L should precipitate administration of albumin).
4. Capable of giving written informed consent, willing to comply with study procedures and ability to operate the device

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Gastrointestinal haemorrhage over the last 7 days
2. Renal failure defined as serum creatinine higher than or equal to 2 mg/dl
3. Severe coagulopathy defined as prothrombin time greater than 40% more than upper limit of Normal (as determined locally).
4. Platelet count of less than 40000 /uL unless platelet therapy is given at the time of surgery
5. Clinical Evidence of recurring bacterial peritonitis, defined as 2 or more episodes over the last 6 months or a single episode within the last 2 weeks.
6. Clinical evidence of recurring urinary infections, defined as 2 or more episodes over the last 6 months or a single episode within the last 2 weeks.
7. Clinical evidence of loculated ascites.
8. Advanced hepatocarcinoma, defined as one which exceeds Milan criteria.
9. Obstructive uropathy, residual urinary volume exceeding 100 ml, or any bladder anomaly which might contraindicate implantation of the device.
10. Concurrently implanted with any other Active Implantable Medical Device, including, but not limited to, cardiac pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator.
11. Pregnant females or females anticipating pregnancy during study period
12. Patients currently enrolled in another interventional clinical study
13. Other concomitant disease or condition likely to significantly decrease life expectancy or present anaesthetic risk (e.g., moderate to severe congestive heart failure)
14. Known presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
15. Immuno-modulatory treatment (including azothioprine, methotrexate, anti-TNF therapies) used within last 4 months
16. Known or suspected hepatic or extra hepatic malignancy, unless adequately treated or in complete remission for ≥ 3 years
17. BMI \> 40 presenting a risk for surgery and tunneled lines
18. Patients with contraindications for general anesthesia

Answer: A