December 27, 2007

Voluven Helps Minimize Surgical Blood Loss

THURSDAY, Dec. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Voluven was approved Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent and treat significant loss of blood from surgery.

The intravenous solution, containing a synthetic starch that does not dissolve in water, expands the volume of blood plasma. This helps draw the blood into the small vessels called capillaries, preventing the potentially fatal cases of shock that can result from a massive loss of blood, the agency said in a statement.

In clinical testing, Voluven proved as safe and effective as other so-called "blood volume expanders" such as Hespan.

Voluven (6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 in 0.9% sodium chloride injection) is produced by the German firm Fresenius Kabi.

More information

The Anemia Institute has information about managing blood loss.

-- Scott Roberts

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