Thursday October 15, 2009


Q: How Hextend is different from regular 6% hetastarch in 0.9% NS?

Answer: 6% hetastarch in 0.9% NS contains 154 mEq/L of Sodium and 154 mEq/L of chloride along with 6% hetastarch.

Hextand is 6% Hetastarch in Lactated Electrolyte solution with following amounts of electrolytes

• Sodium (mEq/L) = 143
• Chloride (mEq/L) = 124
• Calcium (mEq/L) = 5
• Potassium (mEq/L) = 3
• Magnesium (mEq/L) = 0.9
• Dextrose/ Glucose Units (g/L) =0.99

Hextend also contains 28mEq/L lactate, which acts as a source of bicarbonate in patients with unimpaired lactate metabolism.

Related previous pearls:

Normosol is NOT just Normal Saline
Difference between Lactate Ringer's and Normal Saline solutions