ALB and Hypoalbuminemia: This ex vivo study investigates the impact of albumin on EC morphology and mitochondrial function upon exposure to plasma from patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DC).<h4>Methods</h4>Human umbilical vein ECs were exposed to plasma from patients with DC and hypoalbuminemia (albumin < 30 g/L, n = 20), compensated cirrhosis (CC, > 30 g/L, n = 20), or healthy controls (HC, n = 20).