Stroke volume-directed administration of hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130/0.4) and Ringer’s acetate in prone position during neurosurgery: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

General anesthesia in the prone position is associated with hypotension. We studied stroke volume (SV)-directed administration of hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130 kDa/0.4) and Ringer’s acetate (RAC) in neurosurgical patients operated on in a prone position to determine the volumes required for stable hemodynamics and possible coagulatory effects.

METHODS

Thirty elective neurosurgical patients received either HES (n = 15) or RAC (n = 15). Before positioning, SV measured by arterial pressure waveform analysis was maximized by fluid boluses until SV did not increase more than 10 %. SV was maintained by repeated administration of fluid. RAC 3 ml/kg/h was infused in both groups. Thromboelastometry assessed coagulation. Mann–Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, ANOVA on ranks, and a linear mixed model were applied.

RESULTS

Comparable hemodynamics were achieved with the mean cumulative (SD) boluses of HES or RAC 240 (51) or 267 (62) ml (P = 0.207) before positioning, 340 (124) or 453 (160) ml (P = 0.039) 30 min after positioning, and 440 (229) or 653 (368) ml at the end of surgery (P = 0.067). The mean dose of basal RAC infusion was 813 (235) and 868 (354) ml (P = 0.620) in the HES and RAC group, respectively. Formation and maximum strength of the fibrin clot were decreased in the HES group. Intraoperative blood loss was comparable between groups (P = 0.861).

CONCLUSIONS

The amount of RAC needed in the prone position was 25 % greater. The cumulative dose of 440 ml HES induced a slight disturbance in fibrin formation and clot strength. We suggest cautious administration of HES during neurosurgery.