[Comparative investigations of hydroxyethyl starch and dextran 60 in Isovolaemic haemodilution and haemorrhagic shock of rats (author's transl)].

Isovolaemic blood volume replacement down to a haematocrit value of 20% by commercial dextran 60 or hydroxyethyl starch has been survived by male rats of the Wistar strain without significant deviations from the initial blood volume. The haemoglobin and haematocrit values were found to be practically within the normal range 14 days after treatment. In a second series of male rats of the Wistar strain haemorrhagic shock was maintained over a period of 60 min. The 48 hour survival rate amounted to 100% after retransfusion or replacement by hydroxyethyl starch or dextran 60 of the bleeding volume. The kidneys of both series when examined by the light microscopy showed no pathological changes. On the basis of the findings presented hydroxyethyl starch may be considered to be as effective in blood volume replacement as dextran 60.