Hyperoncotic hemodilution with human albumin (20%) as a new therapeutic procedure in EPH-gestosis

Improvement of uteroplacental blood supply in EPH-gestosis by infusion of human albumin solution is proposed. This procedure may be hazardous for the fetus by shifting the maternofetal colloid osmotic pressure gradient. In acute experiments on pregnant Merino ewes, the circulatory, biochemical and oncotic effects of hypervolemic and isovolemic, hyperoncotic hemodilution on mother and fetus were investigated. Both procedures showed the advantage of albumin as a physiological and effective plasma expander and significantly improved uteroplacental blood flow without an undesired action of fetal hemoconcentration. A catalogue of indications for hemodilution in EPH-gestosis is introduced.