Hetastarch
Hetastarch
Hetastarch (pronounced: heh-tuh-starch) is a type of starch used in the medical field as a volume expander to increase the volume of plasma in the blood.
Etymology
The term "Hetastarch" is derived from the Greek word "heta", meaning "one", and the English word "starch". This refers to the fact that Hetastarch is a type of starch that is used for a single purpose in medicine - as a volume expander.
Usage
Hetastarch is used in the treatment of hypovolemia, a condition characterized by a decrease in the volume of blood plasma. It works by increasing the volume of plasma in the blood, thereby helping to maintain blood pressure and ensure adequate blood flow to the body's organs and tissues.
Related Terms
- Hypovolemia: A decrease in the volume of blood plasma.
- Volume expander: A type of drug or substance used to increase the volume of blood plasma.
- Plasma: The liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended.
- Starch: A type of carbohydrate that is used in various ways in the body, including as a source of energy.
Side Effects
Like all medications, Hetastarch can cause side effects. These may include allergic reactions, kidney damage, and bleeding disorders. It is important to monitor patients closely for these and other potential side effects while they are receiving Hetastarch.
Contraindications
Hetastarch should not be used in patients with known allergies to starch or in patients with certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease or bleeding disorders. It should also be used with caution in patients with heart disease or liver disease.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hetastarch
- Wikipedia's article - Hetastarch
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski