• Vance G Nielsen.
• Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35249-6810, USA. vnielsen@uab.edu <vnielsen@uab.edu>
• J. Heart Lung Transplant. 2006 Nov 1; 25 (11): 1344-52.

BackgroundFibrinolysis has a critical role in the development of bleeding after insertion of a ventricular assist device (VAD). However, chronically, VAD-mediated fibrinolysis may also diminish thromboembolic events. Management of VADs involves fluid administration. It was hypothesized that the fluid administered could modulate fibrinolysis.MethodsHuman plasma was diluted (0% to 30%) with 0.9% NaCl, 5% albumin or Voluven (6% hydroxyethyl-starch [HES], mean molecular weight 130 kD) and exposed to tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). Plasma obtained from rabbits just before and after 30% dilution with PentaLyte (6% HES, 220 kD), Voluven or Hextend (6% HES, 450 kD) were exposed to tPA. Thrombelastographic clot strength and onset/rate of fibrinolysis were determined.ResultsIn human plasma, 0.9% NaCl significantly decreased clot strength, but either prolonged or maintained the onset of fibrinolysis, with the rate of fibrinolysis significantly increased only at 30% dilution. Five percent albumin significantly decreased clot strength and did not affect the onset of fibrinolysis, but it did decrease the rate of fibrinolysis. Voluven significantly decreased clot strength to the greatest extent compared with the other fluids, and decreased the time of onset of fibrinolysis. Rabbit plasma after hemodilution demonstrated significantly decreased clot strength and decreased time of onset of fibrinolysis as compared with Voluven in human plasma.ConclusionsCompared with crystalloid or albumin, HES solutions enhance fibrinolysis by decreasing clot strength and decreasing the time of onset of fibrinolysis. Further studies are warranted to determine whether the fluid administered to patients with VADs can impact hemorrhagic and thrombotic morbidity.

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