[Effect of kidney function on the elimination and action of colloidal plasma substitutes].

Hypovolemia and prophylaxis of thrombosis are the main indications for colloidal plasma substitutes. This is also true for patients with renal failure. Due to their difference in molecular structure colloidal plasma substitutes, which are in clinical use--dextran, hydroxyethyl starch, gelatin--, are eliminated tbrough different pathways. However, the kidney plays an important role in the elimination of all three substances. Therefore pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of colloidal plasma substitutes, which are based on dextran, hydroxyethyl starch and gelatin, were studied in patients with normal or impaired renal function. Renal insufficiency proved to affect the elimination and therapeutic efficacy of these colloids in different and characteristic ways. Consequently this requires special indications and dosage recommendations for patients with renal insufficiency.