Haemostatic effects of crystalloid vs colloid prime in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

The controversy surrounding the use of a colloid or a crystalloid prime in the cardiopulmonary circuit still continues and is a matter of conjecture and an unresolved issue. To evaluate the effect of 4% modified fluid gelatin on haemostasis by measurement of haemostatic variables after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, we studied 40 patients. They were randomly assigned to 2 groups of ringer lactate and 4% modified fluid gelatin priming solution. The study conclusively proved that 4% modified fluid gelatin has no significant effect on haemostasis and could be recommended as a priming fluid in cardiopulmonary bypass circuit.