hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions (Hespan, Hextend, Voluven) are falling out of favor

February 2013

Please see the June 2013 FDA safety communication regarding HES solutions and increased mortality, renal injury, and risk of bleeding

We're getting questions about fluid resuscitation now that hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions (Hespan, Hextend, Voluven) are falling out of favor.

We usually don't think of these IV fluids as drugs...but they do have therapeutic and adverse effects.

In fact, HES can increase the risk of bleeding, renal failure, and death compared with normal saline, Lactated Ringer's, etc.

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