Effect of hydroxyethylstarch on renal function in cardiac surgery: A large scale retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Recent reports indicated negative effects of hydroxyethylstarch (HES) on renal function. The goal of this large scale retrospective study was to detect whether there was an association between postoperative deterioration of renal function and the use of HES 200 kD, 0.5 DS in the cardiac surgery setting. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of daily collected data in 3124 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass and/or valvular surgery. Three groups were compared according to differences in fluid therapy: --GEL: gelatin was used as priming fluid of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and for postoperative filling (n = 1276). --MIX: HES was used as priming fluid of ECC an gelatin was used for postoperative filling (n = 1008). --HES: HES was used as priming fluid of ECC and for postoperative filling (n = 840). MAIN RESULTS: There were no significant differences in postoperative serum creatinine concentrations between the 3 groups: GEL: 12,2 +/- 0,5 mg/l; MIX: 12,3 +/- 0.5 mg/l; HES: 12,3 +/- 0.6 mg/l. The need for postoperative extrarenal epuration was not significantly different between the 3 periods: GEL: 2,9%; MIX: 3,1%; HES: 3,8%. CONCLUSION: The use of HES 200 kD, 0.5 DS in cardiac surgery does not seem to be associated with a clinically significant deterioration of postoperative renal function.