[Comparison of crystalloids and hydroxyethyl starch during normovolemic hemodilution. A study of hemodynamics and saturation measurement]

Normovolemic hemodilution at two different hematocrit values was performed in ten patients undergoing major surgery to evaluate changes of DO2, VO2 and CI. A Hct of 38% (low hemodilution) was reached by plasma replacement with ringer lactate infusion. A further hemodilution, a Hct of 30% (high hemodilution), was obtained by hydroxyethyl starch plus ringer lactate (1:2 ratio) infusion. A significant VO2 increase (p less than 0.01) occurred when hydroxyethyl starch plus ringer lactate infusions were employed as compared to ringer lactate alone. No changes in DO2 and CI were observed, the increase in VO2 measured during colloid infusion could suggest a better tissue perfusion and metabolic activity.