About hydroxyethyl starcha nonionic starch derivative, intravenous fluid, blood plasma substitute(plasma expander).mechanism of action of hydroxyethyl starchhydroxyethyl starch is a plasma volume expander used for improving haemodynamic status. it is a complex mixture of ethoxylated amylopectin of various molecular sizes (mw ranges from 10,000 to 1 million) on an average molecular weight of 4.5 lacs. the colloidal properties of 6% hydroxyethyl starch is approximately as that of human albumin.indications for hydroxyethyl starch1. as plasma volume expander in various situations.typical dosage for hydroxyethyl starchi.v.: 6% hydroxyethyl starch- dosage individualized based on the requirement of the patient.