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
