Recent findings on the use of hydroxyethyl starch

Jeon, Yun Seok

Review

General Article

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2014;9(3):159-164.
Published online July 31, 2014.

Recent findings on the use of hydroxyethyl starch

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. jeonyunseok@hanmail.net

Received: 23 May 2014 • Revised: 23 May 2014

Abstract

There has long been a controversy on the use of colloids. Many developments have now been made in the theological aspects. The new glycocalyx model and other related studies have shown that the volume expansion effect of colloids is not so superior to crystalloids in many situations. Moreover, the results from several multicenter studies on septic shock patients indicated that hydroxyethyl starch did not improve clinical outcome, but instead, increased the number of serious complications such as death and renal failure. Accordingly, this long debate has been concluded, at least about the use of hydroxyethyl starch colloid on patients with septic shock. Although there is still a lack of studies on perioperative patients, care is also needed when using colloids in their treatment.

Key Words: Colloids, Crystalloids, Fluid, Hydroxyethyl starch