Study objective: To compare the hemodynamic effects of two different concentrations of pentastarch hydroxyethyl starch (HES; 200/0.5) solutions with a 4% human albumin solution for fluid resuscitation.
Design: Open-label, randomized, controlled study.
Setting: Medical-surgical intensive care unit.
Patients: 34 consecutive, hemodynamically stable, adult patients with sepsis and suspected hypovolemia.
Interventions: Patients received a 400 mL infusion of either 10% HES (n = 11), 6% HES (n = 10), or 4% albumin (n = 13) over 40 minutes.
Measurements: Hemodynamic and blood data were collected 40, 70, 100, and 160 minutes after the start of the fluid challenge.
Main results: Cardiac index, stroke volume index, and left ventricular stroke work index increased more in the 10% HES group than the 6% HES or albumin groups (P < 0.05). Oxygen delivery increased only in the 10% HES group. A decrease in hemoglobin concentration occurred in all three groups but was greatest in the 10% HES group.
Conclusions: HES is as effective as albumin for volume resuscitation in septic patients.