Abstract

Background: Gelofusine (which does not contain calcium) has a greater effect on coagulation than Haemaccel (which contains 6.25 mmol/l of calcium). This in vitro study was performed to assess whether calcium might be the cause of the different effects on coagulation.

Methods: Three solutions were compared; (a) Gelofusine, (b) Gelofusine with calcium added to 6.25 mmol/l, and (c) Haemaccel. Thromboelastography (Sonoclot) was used to examine whole blood coagulation, with time to peak clot weight as the primary outcome measure.

Results: There was no significant difference between the Gelofusine containing solutions. Both Gelofusine solutions gave a greater impairment of coagulation than the Haemaccel solution.

Conclusions: The different effect of Gelofusine on coagulation compared with Haemaccel does not seem to be related to the different calcium contents of the solutions.