| Available solutions | ||||
| Albumin solutions | Starches¶ | |||
| 4, 5 percent | 20, 25 percent | 3, 6, 10 percent Hetastarch | 10 percent Pentastarch | |
| Molecular weight, average (kD) | 69 | 69 | 450 | 280 |
| Osmolality, mOsm/L | 290 | 310 | 300-310 | 326 |
| COP, mm Hg | 20-30 | 70-100 | 23-50 | 23-50 |
| Maximum volume expansion,* percent | 70-100 | 300-500 | 100-200 | 100-200 |
| Duration of volume expansion, h | 12-24 | 12-24 | 8-36 | 12-24 |
| Plasmatic half-life, h | 16-24 | 16-24 | 50 | 2-12 |
| Potential for adverse reactions | + | + | ++ | ++ |
| Possible side effects | Allergic reactions | Allergic reactions | Renal dysfunction | Renal dysfunction |
| Transmitted infection | Transmitted infection | Coagulopathy | Coagulopathy | |
| Pruritus | Pruritus | |||
| Anaphylactoid reactions | Anaphylactoid reactions | |||
COP: colloid osmotic pressure.
* Expressed as a percentage of administered volume.
¶ Starches are rarely used due to increased mortality and renal dysfunction associated with their use.
