What is the Difference Between Crystalloids and Colloids?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Crystalloids and colloids are both used as plasma volume expanders to increase a depleted circulating volume, and they can be used separately or together to manage hemodynamic instability. However, there are some key differences between the two:
- Molecule size: Crystalloids have small molecules, while colloids have larger molecules.
- Cost: Crystalloids are generally less expensive than colloids.
- Immediate fluid resuscitation: Crystalloids provide immediate fluid resuscitation, but may increase edema.
- Swifter volume expansion: Colloids may provide swifter volume expansion in the intravascular space, but they may induce allergic reactions, blood clotting disorders, and kidney failure.
- Examples: Common crystalloid solutions include sodium chloride 0.9% (normal saline), compound sodium lactate solutions (Ringer's lactate solution, Hartmann's solution), and glucose solutions. Colloids can be man-made (e.g., starches, dextrans, or gelatins) or naturally occurring (e.g., albumin or fresh frozen plasma).
- Risk of anaphylaxis: Crystalloids carry little or no risk of anaphylaxis, while colloids do carry an increased risk of anaphylaxis.
- Vegetarian or vegan patients: Some colloid preparations contain gelatin, which may pose a problem for vegetarian or vegan patients.
In summary, crystalloids are typically less expensive, carry a lower risk of anaphylaxis, and are suitable for most patients with shock. However, they may increase edema. Colloids, on the other hand, may provide swifter volume expansion but carry a higher risk of complications and are more expensive.
Comparative Table: Crystalloids vs Colloids
here is a table summarizing the differences between crystalloids and colloids:
Feature | Crystalloids | Colloids |
---|---|---|
Particle Size | <1 nm | 1-200 nm |
Permeability | High | Low |
Vascular Permeability | High | Low |
Examples | Salt, sugar, urea | Starch, gelatin, gum |
Ease of Crystallization | Easily crystallized from aqueous solutions | Not easily crystallized from aqueous solutions |
Uses | Fluid resuscitation, intravenous fluids | Fluid resuscitation, maintaining high osmotic pressure in blood |
Crystalloids are aqueous solutions of salts or minerals that can be crystallized, with smaller particles (<1 nm) and high vascular permeability. Examples of crystalloids include salt, sugar, and urea. They are used as volume expanders in fluid resuscitation and for intravenous fluids.
Colloids are homogeneous non-crystalline substances containing large molecules or ultramicroscopic particles (1-200 nm). They have lower vascular permeability compared to crystalloids. Examples of colloids include starch, gelatin, and gum. Colloids are used for fluid resuscitation and maintaining high osmotic pressure in the blood.
- Solution vs Colloid
- Suspension vs Colloid
- True Solution vs Colloidal Solution
- Colloid vs Emulsion
- Micelles vs Colloidal Particles
- Ionic vs Colloidal Silver
- Hydrogel vs Hydrocolloid
- Lyophilic vs Lyophobic Colloids
- Plasma vs Interstitial Fluid
- Liquid vs Fluid
- Liquid vs Solid
- Liquid vs Solution
- Liquid Crystal Solid vs Liquid
- Intracellular vs Interstitial Fluid
- Nano Silver vs Colloidal Silver
- Coagulation vs Clotting
- Isotonic vs Isosmotic
- Osmolality vs Osmolarity
- Blood vs Plasma