The Journal of surgical research
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Hydroxyethyl starch administration has been associated with decreases in hemostasis and has recently been demonstrated to decrease fibrinogen (FI)-thrombin-(FIIa)-Factor XIII (FXIII) interactions in vitro in human plasma. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of in vivo hemodilution with Hextend (6% hydroxyethyl starch, mean molecular weight 450 kDa) on plasma coagulation kinetics. ⋯ Hextend hemodilution in rabbits maintains clot initiation by diminishing both FIIa-FI and FXIIIa-fibrin interactions, whereas clot propagation and strength were reduced by diminished FXIIIa-fibrin interactions.