Hydroxyethyl starch, chemical formula (C6H10O5) n · xC2H4OH, CAS number 9005-27-0, is a white or almost white powder, odorless, tasteless, and easily soluble in water. It belongs to the category of blood volume expanding drugs and has the function of expanding blood volume. Its effect of expanding blood volume is mainly due to its high molecular weight (500000 to 2 million) reducing plasma osmotic pressure, allowing tissue fluid to reflux into blood vessels; It can stay in the blood for a long time, increase plasma osmotic pressure, reduce tissue fluid reflux, and quickly increase blood volume.

Hydroxyethyl starch is mainly used in clinical practice to treat and prevent hypovolemic shock caused by surgery, trauma, infection, and burns, including hemorrhagic, toxic, and septic shock. It can also be used for supplementing circulating blood volume before and after surgery and correcting blood dilution.

In addition, the pharmacological effects of hydroxyethyl starch are mild and long-lasting, and its good colloidal osmotic pressure can effectively maintain blood pressure and circulating blood volume, saving valuable time for rescuing patients. Meanwhile, it can also improve microcirculation, reduce blood viscosity, prevent thrombosis, and facilitate patient recovery.

However, there are also some precautions to be taken when using hydroxyethyl starch. For example, for patients with severe liver disease, kidney disease, or congestive heart failure, caution should be exercised to avoid adverse reactions. In addition, for patients with allergic constitution, it should also be used under the guidance of a doctor.