[Coagulation changes during aortofemoral bifurcation bypass: is volume and plasma substitution possible with hydroxyethyl starch alone?]

The study explored the possibility of eliminating the need for plasma replacement with expensive human albumin (HA) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and instead using hydroxyethyl starch (HES). Patients undergoing infrarenal aortofemoral bifurcation grafting were randomly assigned to one group, which received FFP and HA, or another group, which received HES as volume replacement. Blood specimens were collected at five time intervals: preoperatively, prior to cross-clamping of the aorta, prior to declamping, at the end of the operation, and 6 h postoperatively. Preoperative coagulation values were all within normal limits. The basic coagulation tests were generally affected by the standardized heparin dose of 5000 IU administered during the clamping phase. Euglobulin lysis demonstrated a perioperative climb that was particularly marked within the HES group at the time of clamping. Values returned to initial levels 6 h postoperatively. Plasminogen, fibrinogen, antithrombin III, and antiplasmin concentrations fell significantly in both groups; 10% to 20% lower values were determined within the HES group due to the lack of factor substitution. The reduction in the coagulation factors can be explained as a dilution effect, but there are also signs of a consumption reaction taking place at the onset of the operation involving activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Restricting the use of FFP and simultaneously increasing HES administration is justifiable in procedures involving the abdominal aorta with moderate blood loss.