• Soo Joo Choi, Hyun Joo Ahn, Sung Soo Chung, Myung Hee Kim, Duck Hwan Choi, Sangmin M Lee, Jin Gu Kang, and Jin Kyoung Kim.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
• Spine. 2010 Apr 1;35(7):829-34.

Study DesignProspective, randomized, double blind, clinical study.ObjectiveTo compare the hemostatic and electrolyte effects of 2 commonly administered hydroxyethyl starches (HES) in patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).Summary Of Background DataHES are commonly administered colloid solutions to restore and maintain intravascular volume before transfusion is initiated. However, infusion of HES itself can impair coagulation. HES-induced coagulopathy could be a serious problem in PLIF which involves continuous bone bleeding and oozing. Voluven (Fresenius Kabi, Germany), previously regarded as the least coagulopathic due to its low molecular weight (MW) and degree of substitution (DS), is a saline-based HES. Hextend (Biotime, United States) is a new type of HES with physiologic pH and balanced electrolytes, including calcium, which is beneficial to coagulation. Studies comparing the coagulopathy of Hextend and Voluven are rare. Therefore, coagulation, pH/electrolyte changes, and blood loss using Hextend and Voluven in patients undergoing PLIF were compared. METHODS.: Fifty-four patients scheduled for PLIF involving 3 vertebrae or less were randomly assigned to the Voluven or the Hextend group. Of each solution 15 mL/kg was administered during surgery. Blood loss, coagulation, and electrolyte profiles were checked before infusion and 5 minutes, 3 hours, and 24 hours after the end of infusion.ResultsThe Hextend group showed slightly better electrolyte balance, however, more coagulation impairment and postoperative transfusion (37% vs. 11%) compared with the Voluven group. The effect of Hextend on coagulation lasted until 24 hours after infusion.ConclusionIf coagulopathy is a concern during PLIF, then, a HES with low MW/DS in a saline-based medium (Voluven) may be a better alternative than a HES with high MW/DS in a balanced salt medium (Hextend).

23 keywords...

hide…