Gelofusine Special Precautions

Necessary monitoring: During compensation of severe blood losses by massive infusions of Gelofusine, the haematocrit must be monitored under any circumstances.
Likewise in those situations, the dilution effect on coagulation factors should be observed. (Critical values: platelet count below 50 000/μl, Quick's test and aPTT below 35 % of normal). Especially in patients with existing disorders of haemostasis, e.g. afibrinogenaemia, checks of the serum electrolyte concentrations are required. Special attention should be paid to the appearance of symptoms of hypocalcaemia (e.g. signs of tetany, paraesthesia); then corrective measures should be taken. This applies in particular to patients on medication with digitalis.
Because Gelofusine has no buffering capacity, it has no effect on acidosis.
Because the product does not substitute lost plasma protein, it is advisable to check the plasma protein concentrations 6 - 12 hours after an operation. If required, deficiencies should be corrected to a target level of 5 g/100 ml by infusion of human albumin. (It is necessary to observe the previously mentioned time of waiting because the biuret protein assay does not distinguish between gelatine and plasma proteins.)
Attention should be paid to the insufficiency of plasma protein stocks in infants, children, and the elderly.
Use in Children: Sufficient experience with application in children under 1 year is not available.