Does calcium cause the different effects of Gelofusine and Haemaccel on coagulation?
BACKGROUND
Gelofusine (which does not contain calcium) has a greater effect on coagulation than Haemaccel (which contains 6.25 mmol/l of calcium). This in vitro study was performed to assess whether calcium might be the cause of the different effects on coagulation.


METHODS
Three solutions were compared; (a) Gelofusine, (b) Gelofusine with calcium added to 6.25 mmol/l, and (c) Haemaccel. Thromboelastography (Sonoclot) was used to examine whole blood coagulation, with time to peak clot weight as the primary outcome measure.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between the Gelofusine containing solutions. Both Gelofusine solutions gave a greater impairment of coagulation than the Haemaccel solution.


CONCLUSIONS
The different effect of Gelofusine on coagulation compared with Haemaccel does not seem to be related to the different calcium contents of the solutions.
Coats
T J
TJ
Professor of Emergency Medicine, Leicester University, Leicester, UK. t.coats@virgin.net
Heron
M
M
D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011097:Polygeline / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
C115675:Hemaccel; D010952:Plasma Substitutes; D011108:Polymers; D005780:Gelatin; D011097:Polygeline; D002118:Calcium