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. 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. 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.