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World J Clin Cases. Apr 16, 2013; 1(1): 44-48
Published online Apr 16, 2013. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v1.i1.44
Published online Apr 16, 2013. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v1.i1.44
Treatment of a patient with congenital analbuminemia with atorvastatin and albumin infusion
Maria Del Ben, Francesco Angelico, Lorenzo Loffredo, Francesco Violi, Clinica Medica I, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
Author contributions: All authors contributed to the writing of the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Francesco Angelico, Professor, Clinica Medica I, Sapienza University, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy. francesco.angelico@uniroma1.it
Telephone: +39-6-49972249 Fax: +39-6-49972249
Received: November 25, 2012
Revised: January 24, 2013
Accepted: February 5, 2013
Published online: April 16, 2013
Processing time: 136 Days and 13.6 Hours
Revised: January 24, 2013
Accepted: February 5, 2013
Published online: April 16, 2013
Processing time: 136 Days and 13.6 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Congenital analbuminemia is characterized by low plasma albumin and compensatory hypercholesterolemia, which may increase cardiovascular risk. We report a case of congenital analbuminemia (1.0 g/dL) in a 38-year-old male with hypercholesterolemia (range: 406-475 mg/dL) and severe arterial dysfunction [no brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD)]. Long-term, cholesterol-lowering treatment with atorvastatin was associated with the appearance of peripheral edema. Two-months of infusion with albumin improved FMD (7%) and reduced serum cholesterol (273 mg/dL). Statin treatment, together with periodical albumin infusions, may contribute to the safe reduction of cardiovascular risk.