What is Gelafundin?

Gelafundin is a pharmaceutical drug used as a plasma expander. It acts by increasing the circulating blood volume. This makes the blood less viscous and therefore more easily pumped around the body. It is a solution of gelatin in 0.9% sodium chloride. It is widely used in European Operating Rooms when a volume effect without high colloid osmotic pressure is needed.

Gelafundin is made by heating a solution of porcine gelatin in water. The gelatin is then broken down into smaller pieces by chemical or enzymatic treatment, and the resulting fragments are mixed with water and sodium chloride.

Gelafundin is given intravenously, and it is rapidly distributed throughout the body. It is excreted by the kidneys, and it has a half-life of approximately 2 hours.

Gelafundin is a safe and effective plasma expander. It is well tolerated, and it does not cause any major side effects. It is also relatively inexpensive, making it a cost-effective option for increasing circulating blood volume.