Because of their therapeutic safety, hydroxyethylstarch, gelatin and dextrans are among the most frequently used drugs in the world. Recent studies have shown that bleeding disorders, anaphylactic reactions and storage in the body depend decisively on the nature of the administered plasma substitute. Through interdisciplinary cooperation the "First European Volume Replacement Conference" has established indications for the use of individual plasma substitutes to improve the efficacy and therapeutic safety of volume replacement therapy.