[Replacement solutions and hemodilution]

Abstract

By definition, haemodilution involves the use of filling solutions, but in this technique the role of different solutions has yet to be clearly defined. Amongst the criteria of choice used at the present time, two would seem to be essential: good tolerance, limiting the risks of complication and side effects to an absolute minimum; and a sufficiently long intravascular half-life ensuring good control of blood volume. On this basis, amongst the crystalloids Ringer lactate offers definite advantages. It is almost always used in association with a colloidal solution, very often human albumin or a dextran.