Kraatz J, van Ackern K, Glocke H, Martin E, Peter K, Schmitz E
Anaesthesist. 1975 May;24(5):210-5.
The influence of preoperative isovolaemic haemodilution on the circulation was examined in a clinical study. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, cardiac output as well as haemoglobin and haematocrit values were determined. Stroke volume, total peripheral resistance, and the modified tension-time-index were calculated. A mixture of human albumin 5% and hydroxy-ethyl-starch was used as a solution for dilution. During the dilution phase the cardiac output increased compensatorily to the decrease of haemoglobin and the haematocrit values. While the heart rate and the mean arterial pressure remained unchanged the total peripheral resistance was reduced. Considering the described conditions and contraindications, preoperative isovolaemic haemodilution is a suitable method to replace an intraoperative blood loss of up to 2000 ml autologously. Thus a posttransfusion hepatitis can be avoided. In addition, preoperative isovolaemic hemodilution improves the microcirculation and may have a prophylactic effect on the thrombosis in the postoperative phase.