title: Reduced quality of clot formation with gelatin-based plasma substitutes.
abstract: We have studied, over a wide range of dilutions using techniques of clot weight, thrombelastography and scanning electron microscopy, the physical properties of a blood clot formed in vitro when fresh blood was diluted with gelatin-based colloid solutions compared with crystalloid controls. The colloid solutions tested (3.5% polygeline (Haemaccel) and 4% succinylated gelatin (Gelofusine)) produced clots that had reduced median weight (P < 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively) and reduced mean shear modulus (P < 0.001) compared with crystalloid controls. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the fibrin formed a less extensive mesh in the presence of the gelatin-based colloids compared with crystalloid. Reduction in clot quality with gelatin-based colloids has not been noted previously and further work is needed to ascertain if this occurs in vivo as these solutions are used frequently in patients who require full haemostatic competence.
authors.affiliation: North Staffordshire Trauma Centre, Hartshill, Stoke on Trent.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Mardel
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ollerenshaw
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baddeley
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ibbotson
mesh_terms: D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D005337:Fibrin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005780:Gelatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011097:Polygeline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013386:Succinates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013916:Thrombelastography
chemical_list: D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D010952:Plasma Substitutes; D013386:Succinates; C060085:succinylated gelatin; D005780:Gelatin; D005337:Fibrin; D011097:Polygeline