The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Hydroxyethyl starch versus albumin in cardiopulmonary bypass prime solutions.
To compare hydroxyethyl starch (HES) with 25% albumin, 20 patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass were randomized into two groups: 10 received 1,000 ml of HES and 10 received 200 ml of 25% albumin in a bloodless priming solution for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Platelet aggregation, antithrombin III, reptilase time, fibrinogen, plasminogen, fluid requirements, and hemodynamics were monitored. Platelet aggregation was abnormal in both groups, being relatively poorer in the albumin group. ⋯ Postoperative weight increase and colloid requirements plus trends toward larger blood loss and blood transfusions indicate possible further evaluation. However, results suggest that HES is a safe additive to priming solutions. Compared with albumin, HES has comparable changes in coagulation variables and slightly less severe derangements in platelet aggregation.