title: Why hydroxyethyl starch solutions should NOT be banned from the operating room.
abstract: This review summarises the new insights into the physiology of perioperative fluid therapy and analyses recent studies of the safety of the use of HES solutions in the fluid management of critically ill patients. This analysis reveals a number of methodological issues in the three major studies that have initiated the recommendation of the European Medicine Agency to ban hydroxyethyl starches from clinical practice. It is concluded that, when used in the proper indication, and taking into account the recommended doses, hydroxyethyl starches continue to have a place in perioperative fluid management.
authors.affiliation: stefan.dehert@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Hert
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Baerdemaeker
mesh_terms: D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D010952:Plasma Substitutes