Hydroxyethylstarch solutions versus saline for the treatment of intradialytic hypotension

It is unknown whether the colloid solutions hydroxyethylstarch (HES) 6% and 10% are equally effective as compared to saline alone for the treatment of intradialytic hypotension.

44 stable patients treated with chronic intermittent haemodialysis were divided in two equally sized groups (Group I and Group II). When symptomatic hypotension occurred, patients received 100 ml 0.9% NaCl in Group I and 100 ml HES 6% in Group II. In the second month of the study, patients in Group I received HES 6% and saline was given in Group II. In the third and fourth month this treatment schedule was repeated, but now HES 10% instead of HES 6% was given.

HES solutions of 6% and 10% and saline were equally effective for the reversal of the intradialytic hypotension, but patients receiving HES 10% had a significant lower incidence of recurrent hypotension.