[A comparison of 3.5% dextran 40 and 4% albumin used as volume expansion solutions following heart surgery. Effects on the hemodynamic parameters and the oncotic colloidal pressure].

Dextran 40 (3.5%), a synthetic colloid solution used as a volaemic expander was compared to albumin 4% in 30 patients (15 in each group) during the first twenty hours after cardiac surgery. The patients were administered 500-600 ml.m-2 either dextran 40 or albumin at a rate of 10-12 ml.kg-1 x h-1 between 2nd and 4th postoperative hour. In the two groups, heart rate and mean arterial pressure did not change significantly but left and right filling pressures and cardiac index increased similarly. Colloid oncotic pressure and haemoglobin varied in the same way in the two groups. Proteinemia and albuminaemia were increased significantly in the albumin group during all the study. Diuresis was not different in the two groups. No side effect was observed. Dextran 40 was efficient and could be used as a volaemic expander after cardiac surgery.