Abstract
Thirty-one patients undergoing open-heart surgery for uncomplicated coronary artery disease were studied. All patients had dextran 70 (Macrodex, Pharmacia) in the priming solution. In Group I patients (n = 16) 3.5% dextran 40 (Rheomacrodex, Pharmacia) was added to the cardioplegic solution. Group II patients (n = 15) received our standard crystalloid cardioplegia. A higher colloid oncotic pressure (COP) was noticed in Group I during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and immediately postoperatively. The albumin levels were higher in Group II during and after bypass. No differences could be demonstrated in the concentrations of total serum protein. Preoperative levels of COP were reached two hours postoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively for albumin and total proteins. The addition of dextran 40 to the cardioplegic solution did not influence haemodynamic parameters. The clinical course was uneventful in both groups.
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