Gelatine and hydroxyl ethyl starch hypervolemic hemodilution – Effect on hemorheology and retinal circulation in a pig model

The present study was designed to determine the effects of hemodilution with gelatine (GEL) and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on hematocrit, blood viscosity, systemic hemodynamics, and central retinal arterial blood flow in anaesthetized pigs. 20 pigs were studied. Hypervolemic hemodilution was induced by 30 ml kg-1h-1 GEL (n=10) or HES (n=10) infused over 30 min. The hematocrit decreased comparably in both groups. Plasma viscosity was higher after HES than after GEL. Systolic central retinal blood flow and resistance index increased and were higher after HES than after GEL. Despite a greater plasma viscosity HES increases retinal microcirculation during hypervolemic hemodilution. Gelatine and hydroxyl ethyl starch hypervolemic hemodilution 41 an acute experimental setting. The present study was designed to determine the effects of a hypervolemic dilution with different colloids on hematocrit, plasma viscosity and direct measurement of blood flow in the central retinal artery. Material and methods