The effect of the combined administration of colloids and Ringer's Lactate on the coagulation system - an in vitro study using thrombelastography (roTEG®)

Gelatine and hydroxyethylstarch (HES) based colloids are given in clinical practice normally in combination with Ringer's Lactate (RL), but also dose dependent combinations of HES and gelatine are administered. Colloids impair the coagulation system in different ways: gelatine disturbs fibrin polymerisation and HES reduces F VIII and vWF in plasma in the first line. There are no data available, to which extent the combined administration of colloids and RL affects the coagulation system. Aim of our study was to investigate, if the combined administration handicaps the coagulation system differently than the use of single substances.