Hemodynamic effects of volume replacement with saline solution and hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch in dogs.

PURPOSE To investigate hemodynamic response to volume replacement with saline solution and hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch in hypovolemic dogs. METHODS Forty dogs under general anesthesia and hemodynamic monitoring, following measurements at baseline, were bled 20 ml x Kg(-1) and parameters were measured again after 10 minutes. The animals were randomly divided in two groups and volume replacement was performed with saline solution twice the volume removed or 4 ml x Kg(-1) of hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch. Hemodynamic data were again measured after 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes. RESULTS With both solutions values returned to satisfactory hemodynamic levels. With saline solution, there was a greater amplitude in variations that tended to decrease progressively. With hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch, the parameters studied returned more rapidly to levels similar to those at baseline and varied less. CONCLUSION Both solutions proved to be efficient at replacing volume in the short period studied, although hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch produced more stable results.