Effects of hydroxyethyl starch on blood coagulation profile

The effects of hydroxyethyl starch on blood coagulation were investigated i n 20 patients undergoing surgery to determine whether its use places recipi ents at risk of haemorrhage or thrombosis. The partial thromboplastin times are significantly prolonged; factor VIII activities and fibrinogen levels are decreased. After infusion of hydroxyethyl starch, no significant differ ences were detected in platelet count or prothrombin time. A decreased plat elet aggregation was also found after the infusion of hydroxyethyl starch. According to our results, hydroxyethyl starch can cause haemorrhagic proble ms in patients when administered as a colloidal volume-expanding agent.