Hemodilution Definition, Procedure, Symptoms, Causes

It is a condition in which the solute concentration i.e. concentration of blood cells become less than normal concentration in the solvent i.e. blood. Basically it is the dilution of blood. The dilution occurs via gaining of fluid and the blood becomes thin. The plasma level increases along with decrease in concentration of blood cells. It is totally opposite to hemoconcentration. As in hemoconcentration the plasma level decreases which leads to increase in concentration of blood cells and the blood becomes thick.

Hemodilution is usually done by anesthesiologists during or before surgery. The hemodilution procedure is also known as acute normovolemic hemodilution (anh). Hemodilution during surgery helps to reduce the work load on heart. Low heart burden will reduce the complications during surgery and allow the blood to easily flow through the capillaries. Hemodilution makes the flow properties of blood enhanced and improved and ultimately the supply of nutrients and oxygen to brain as well as heart are also enhanced. This procedure is used to decrease the size of infarct cells in brain after any hemorrhage or injury. But scientists also reported that this procedure gives no benefit as a treatment but can only help during or before surgery.

Hemodilution Procedure

               
To make the concentration of blood cells reduce and enhance the level of plasma the fluid is injected which increases the level of plasma. In this procedure, the blood from the patient is collected down in the collecting bag which already contains an anti-coagulant agent under the influence of gravity and in place of blood a colloidal solution fluid is injected which replaces the volume of blood in veins. After the completion of surgery, the blood is again injected to the body. This is performed to make the surgery easy and decrease the work load on heart and brain.

Hemodilution Symptoms

             
After hemodilution, the patient may feel many symptoms. Patient may take time to recover. Some of them are reported under;

• The patient after hemodialysis may get confuse. 
• Nausea can be experienced by patient. 
• Vomiting is most common symptom appear after hemodialysis.
• Seizures may occur, as blood replacement can cause problems in nervous transmissions.
• It may also happen that patient may not recover after surgery and can go coma.
• Hemodialysis may prove fatal to patients as many patients do not feel comfortable with it.
• There is a sign of brain edema, which may be fatal for patient.
• Patient may feel dizziness and nervousness.

Hemodilution Causes

Hemodilution in the thinning of blood. Which may be occur due to many factors, some of them are as follows;

• Hemodilution normally occurs during pregnancy, but it can also occur in non-pregnant women due to less concentration of hemoglobin. 
• It may be occur due to chronic heart failure as poor blood output is reported.
• Hemodialysis occurs due to excessive intake of water.
• Person at increase susceptibility rate to hemodialysis are;
• Infants below 1 year
• Persons using methylenedioxymethamfetamine are also susceptible.
• Athletes are also susceptible as they drink more water during hiking and running.