[Gelatin for volume replacement in hemodilution: hemodynamic study].

Objective: To evaluate whether volume replacement with gelatine infusion with 3.5% urea bridges during normovolemic intentional hemodilution manages to stabilize hemodynamic parameters.
Experimental Design: Randomized prospective study.
Setting: Operating theatre for general surgery.
Patients: ASA 1 and 2 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Criteria of admission: a) age < 70 years old; b) starting hematocrit > 30%; c) absence of coronary diseases or coagulative pathologies.
Interventions: Blood lost during surgery was replaced with gelatine and crystalloid in a ratio of 1:1. Hemodynamic monitoring was performed by inserting an Opticath catheter in the pulmonary artery and the resulting data were processed using an Oximetrix computer.
Findings: Oxygen transport (DO2), oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) were measured before the start of the operation and at the peak of hemodilution.
Results: At times T0 = Hct 35 and T1 = Hct 28, studied parameters (DO2, VO2, HR) did not show statistically significant variations.
Conclusions: On the basis of the hemodynamic parameters studied gelatine was found to be an efficacious volume replacement solution during the course of moderate, intentional hemodilution.