[Conjunctival oxygen partial pressure, hemorheology and circulatory parameters in acute cerebral infarct before and following infusion of 6 percent low molecular hydroxyethyl starch].

A prospective clinical trial was performed on the effects of a three hour infusion of 500 ml 6% low-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starch in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Hemorheology and conjunctival oxygen tension were found to be disturbed prior to treatment. After the infusion there was a marked improvement of the pertinent parameters, indicative of an increase in cerebral microcirculation and oxygen supply. Even 3 h later persistent significant effects were observed. The infusion was well tolerated. Blood pressure and cardiac index remained unchanged.