Effects of hydroxyethyl starch 6 % (130/0.4) on blood loss during cesarean delivery: a propensity-matched analysis.

Background: Hydroxyethyl starch is commonly used in the obstetric patient population to prevent hypotension during cesarean delivery. Evidence suggests hetastarch is associated with a dysfunction in coagulation cascade. We hypothesized that hetastarch use to prevent spinal hypotension during cesarean delivery would be associated with an increase in blood loss when compared to crystalloid use.