Learning Objective

• Properties of an ideal plasma substitute

The following should be the properties of an ideal plasma:

1. It must have the same colloidal osmotic pressure as whole blood and viscosity similar to that of plasma.
2. Its molecular weight should be such that the molecules do not easily diffuse through the capillary wall.
3. It should have a fairly low rate of excretion or destruction by the body and should be nontoxic.
4. It should be free from antigenicity and pyrogenicity.
5. It should have the same isotonicity as that of blood plasma.
6. It should have stability in liquid form at normal and sterilizing temperatures and during transport and storage.

Learning Objective

• Different plasma substitutes and their uses