Circulatory shock
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
A comparison of pentastarch and lactated Ringer's solution in the resuscitation of patients with hemorrhagic shock.
Pentastarch is a colloid that is chemically similar to Hetastarch. It has a shorter half-life (12 hr), and produces volume expansion at least 1.5 times the administered volume. We compared Pentastarch to Ringer's lactate in 41 patients (21 Pentastarch, 20 Ringer's lactate) presenting with hemorrhagic shock. ⋯ Serum albumin was the same in both groups throughout the study period; however, serum colloid oncotic pressure was elevated at 1 hr post-resuscitation in the Pentastarch group (P < 0.005). There was no difference in ventilatory parameters, blood gases, pulmonary function tests, ventilator days, or hospital days between the two groups. We conclude that Pentastarch is safe and effective for the initial resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock.