A controlled, randomised study of the effects of 7.5% hypertonic saline / 6% hydroxyethyl starch on haemodynamic, oxygen transport and metabolic parameters in patients undergoing abdominal aortic reconstruction

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of 7.5% hypertonic saline / 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) against 6% HES as control on haemodynamics, oxygen transport patterns and selected metabolic parameters in patients undergoing abdominal aortic reconstruction. Design: Prospective, randomised controlled study. Setting: Operating theatre and general intensive care unit in a university hospital. Subjects: Fifty patients undergoing abdominal aortic reconstruction were randomised to receive either 7.5% hypertonic saline/6% HES (HTS-HES group, n=25) or 6% HES (HES group, n=25) after aortic clamp release. Measurements and main results: Compared to 6% HES, 7.5% NaCl/6% HES produced a significant increase in cardiac index (3.6±0.9 versus 3.0±0.8 l/min/M2, p<0.05) and a significantly higher mean arterial pressure at the end of surgery (103±14 versus 94±14 mmHg). Oxygen consumption index (VO2I) was significantly higher in the control group of patients given 6% HES after infusion and at the end of surgery (102±23 versus 83...