Does calcium cause the different effects of Gelofusine and Haemaccel on coagulation?

Background: Gelofusine ( which does not contain calcium) has a greater effect on coagulation than Haemaccel ( which contains 6.25 mmol/ l of calcium). This in vitro study was performed to assess whether calcium might be the cause of the different effects on coagulation. Methods: Three solutions were compared; ( a) Gelofusine, ( b) Gelofusine with calcium added to 6.25 mmol/ l, and ( c) Haemaccel. Thromboelastography ( Sonoclot) was used to examine whole blood coagulation, with time to peak clot weight as the primary outcome measure. Results: There was no significant difference between the Gelofusine containing solutions. Both Gelofusine solutions gave a greater impairment of coagulation than the Haemaccel solution. Conclusions: The different effect of Gelofusine on coagulation compared with Haemaccel does not seem to be related to the different calcium contents of the solutions.