[Haemodynamic effects after rapid infusion of dextrane in geriatric patients (author's transl)]

In 85 geriatric premedicated patients haemodynamic effects were investigated following rapid infusion of 500 ml dextrane. The data measured one day preoperative revealed typical age-related changes of the cardiovascular system: decrease of cardiac output, stroke volume and heart rate; increase of peripheral vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure. After infusion of dextran central venous pressure rose by 4.9 mm Hg (mean), mean arterial pressure by 7.5 mm Hg (8.5%) and cardiac output by 1.04 1/min (24.3%). Heart rate alterations were insignificant, but total peripheral resistance decreased significantly by 12.5%. Pulmonary capillary pressure rose to 15.4 +/- 3.4 mm Hg. We conclude that it is possible to increase cardiopulmonary efficiency by extracardiac measures preoperatively even in aged patients. In no case critical left- or right ventricular filling pressure exceeded, so we cannot accept the often expressed warnings against induced hypervolaemia in patients with no cardiac failure except old age.