Rationale and Comments

There is no evidence from multiple randomized controlled trials and recent reviews/meta-analyses that resuscitation with colloids reduces the risk of death compared to crystalloids. Colloids offer no survival benefit and are considerably more expensive than crystalloids; their continued routine use in clinical practice should therefore be questioned. Recent perioperative data on the use of colloids in certain populations remain controversial; nevertheless, there is consensus on the avoidance of the routine use of colloids for volume resuscitation in the general surgical population given the overwhelming amount of evidence in the literature of possible harm when used in un-indicated patients. Health care providers should refer to the current evolving literature when faced with specific conditions like sepsis, traumatic brain injury, acute renal injury and burns thereby creating a forum for discussion among the care providers of the efficacy of such a treatment in that individual patient. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the endpoint in most studies is mortality and morbidity. There is insufficient data to adequately address the need of colloids over crystalloids for other endpoints of interest like hypotension, need for blood transfusion, length of hospital stay, etc. Further research may be required to delineate the existence of any particular benefits of colloids over crystalloids.

Sponsoring Organizations

• American Society of Anesthesiologists

Sources

• Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Disciplines

• Surgical

References

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