Comparison of hetastarch with albumin for postoperative volume expansion in children after cardiopulmonary bypass.
OBJECTIVE
Hetastarch has been studied as a volume expander in adults after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and in recommended dosages has not altered coagulation studies or increased clinical bleeding. Hetastarch was compared with albumin in children after CPB to determine whether hetastarch use was associated with increased clinical bleeding or alteration of coagulation studies.


METHODS
Randomized double-blinded study.


METHODS
University-affiliated children's hospital.


METHODS
Forty-seven children age 1 year or greater (mean 72.8 months; range 12 months to 15.5 years) scheduled for repair of congenital heart disease with moderate hypothermia were randomized to receive hetastarch or albumin as a postoperative volume expander during the first 24 hours after surgery.


METHODS
Thirty-eight children required colloid replacement therapy. Blood pressure, central venous pressure, urine output, and chest tube drainage were used to determine colloid requirement.


RESULTS
Clinical bleeding and laboratory studies of coagulation were evaluated as were requirements for colloid, crystalloid, and blood products. Twenty children received 6% hetastarch, and 18 received 5% albumin. No differences were found in the amount of replacement fluids required, or in coagulation parameters in children receiving 20 mL/kg or less of either colloid replacement therapy. An increase in prothrombin time was demonstrated in children who received greater than 20 mL/kg of 6% hetastarch (p = 0.006); however, no difference in clinical bleeding or blood product requirement was demonstrated between the hetastarch or albumin groups receiving more than 20 mL/kg.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that 6% hetastarch is safe and an effective plasma volume expander in the postoperative management of children, using volumes up to 20 mL/kg. Close laboratory monitoring and careful evaluation of clinical bleeding are suggested when larger doses of hetastarch are administered because of prolongation of the prothrombin time with more than 20 mL/kg of hetastarch.
Brutocao
D
D
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
Bratton
S L
SL
Thomas
J R
JR
Schrader
P F
PF
Coles
P G
PG
Lynn
A M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000418:Albumins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D002496:Central Venous Pressure; D015505:Chest Tubes; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003102:Colloids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D014556:Urine
D000418:Albumins; D003102:Colloids; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D010952:Plasma Substitutes