In the 19th century the interest in the ‘aqueous fraction “of blood rapidly. This fraction was a source for the isolation of new components. In 1888 the German scientist Hofmeister published on the behavior and the solubility of blood proteins. Using ammonium sulphate did he distinguish between groups that he “albumin” and “globulins” called. His so-called principle of “differential precipitation” as separation technique is still used. During the Second World War in Boston the physical chemist Edwin Cohn a process to separate plasma into separate groups. Plasma proteins such as albumin could be obtained in concentrated form. While several researchers later adjustments in process conditions are introduced, they work in many places even as described by cohn. After the war, the development was rapid. In 1964 the U.S. Judith Pool discovered by chance that when slowly thawing frozen plasma at a temperature just above freezing, there is a precipitate forms which enhanced coagulation factor VIII is present. The discovery of this so-called Cryoprecipitate as a method for obtaining factor VIII was a breakthrough for the treatment of patients with blood clotting disease Haemophilia A. Meanwhile, a large number of important plasma proteins are isolated and used as medicine (see figure below).

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The results of the meta-analysis suggested that the use of albumin increased the risk of death by 6% compared to using other types of intravenous solutions. It was however unclear whether the administration of albumin could be responsible for these deaths and to understand how it could be dangerous. It was then reported to health professionals that more research on the use of albumin was necessary, and were reminded to follow the letter the recommendations contained in the documents information on authorized products when they had to use albumin.

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