CRD Summary: The authors concluded that hyperoncotic albumin for volume expansion was associated with reductions in morbidity, renal impairment and oedema in some clinical conditions, but further research was required. The evidence appeared to support the authors’ conclusions, but the lack of reporting of review methods made it difficult to comment on the reliability of these conclusions.

CRD Commentary: The review question was clearly stated. Inclusion criteria were defined for intervention and study design. Criteria for outcomes were broad and could have resulted in selective reporting of positive results, but the primary quantitative outcome was clearly stated. Several relevant sources were searched and attempts were made to minimise language bias. It was not clear if attempts were made to minimise publication bias, but no evidence of publication bias was found. Only RCTs were included, but the validity assessment was limited to two criteria and that made it difficult to determine the overall quality of studies. Studies were appropriately grouped by clinical condition of patients and principally combined in a narrative synthesis. The authors discussed some of the limitations of the review, including the diversity among studies with respect to patients groups and control regimens. Evidence appeared to support the authors’ conclusions but the lack of reporting of review methods made it difficult to comment on the reliability of these conclusions.