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