Gelafundin: A Plasma Expander for Enhanced Blood Volume

Gelafundin is a pharmaceutical plasma expander that increases circulating blood volume, reducing viscosity for easier pumping. It's a gelatin solution in 0.9% sodium chloride, widely used in European operating rooms when volume effect without high colloid osmotic pressure is needed.

Production

Made by heating porcine gelatin in water, breaking it down chemically/enzymatically, then mixing fragments with water and sodium chloride.

Administration and Pharmacokinetics

• Given intravenously
• Rapidly distributed throughout body
• Excreted by kidneys
• Half-life: approximately 2 hours

Safety and Cost

Well-tolerated, no major side effects, relatively inexpensive—cost-effective for increasing circulating blood volume.