Background: Individuals with type O blood have reduced factor VIII and von Willebrand factor
levels compared to the non-O counterpart. Infusion of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) impairs
coagulation and, in O blood type, apparent coagulopathy can develop after HES infusion. A
newly market-released balanced HES (670/0.75) has physiologic pH and balanced electrolytes
including calcium, which are beneficial to coagulation. Studies comparing balanced HES
(670/0.75) with saline-based HES (130/0.4), previously known the least coagulopathic are
rare. Therefore, we try to reveal the difference of coagulation, pH/electrolyte balance, and
bleeding amount between the non-O and O blood types after infusion of these two newest HES.
Methods: Each 20 of non-O and type O ASA 1 or 2 patients scheduled for spinal surgery
involving 2 or 3 spinal levels were enrolled. 20 ml/kg of saline-based HES (130/0.4) or
balanced HES (670/0.75) was administered during operation. Blood loss, coagulation and
metabolic profiles were checked at pre-infusion (T0), 5 min after infusion (T1), 4 hrs after
infusion (T2) and 24 hrs after infusion (T4).