Effects of resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on pulmonary hemodynamics and lung lymph balance in hemorrhagic sheep; comparative study of low and high molecular HES.

Synthetic starch solution, such as hydroxyethyl starch (HES), has been used clinically to restore cardiovascular volume in patients with hemorrhagic shock. Several HES solutions are available clinically, but each HES has a broad range of molecular mass fractions. We performed comparative studies of extremely low and high molecular HES to evaluate the effects of these HES solutions on lung lymph filtration during resuscitation. We prepared awake sheep with vascular monitoring and lung lymph fistulas. After baseline measurements, animals were bled from an arterial line to maintain shock. After 2 h of hemorrhagic period, the following three solutions were infused over 1 h, respectively. Experiment (Exp) 1 (n=6); low molecular HES; (molecular weight (MW) 70000, substitution fractions 0.5-0.55, Exp 2 (n=6); high molecular HES; (MW 450000, substitution fractions 0.65). Exp 3 (n=6); normal saline (NS). The quantity of solution was determined as the same volume of blood lost to induce hemorrhagic situation in each animal (Exp 1; 940+/-36 ml, Exp 2; 910+/-50 ml, Exp 3; 920+/-42 ml). Both low and high molecular HES could restore the systemic artery pressure and cardiac output, and significantly increased pulmonary microvascular pressure equally, which were significantly higher than those in normal saline. However, actual oncotic pressure gradient (plasma-lymph) rose transiently during low molecular HES infusion, while high molecular HES widened the oncotic pressure gradient even after the cessation of the infusion. Lung lymph flow during and after resuscitation with low molecular HES and NS rose significantly from the pre-shock baseline. There was no significant difference in increased lung lymph flow between low molecular HES and NS. However, lung lymph flow after high molecular HES was significantly less than that after low molecular HES. These data suggest that low molecular HES is as useful a plasma substitute as high molecular HES, but has a possibility to increase lung lymph filtration during the early phase of resuscitation.     

The idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is empirically defined as the presence of prolonged eosinophilia without an identifiable underlying cause, and with evidence of end-organ dysfunction. Virtually any organ system may be involved, most frequently the heart, the central and peripheral nervous system, the lungs and the skin. We report on two clinical cases where the diagnosis of HES, with all the conventional criteria met, was proposed. In the first patient with HES, cardiac and pulmonary involvement was present. Skin changes and lung involvement were observed in the second reported patient with HES. In both patients there was prompt improvement of all clinical signs and symptoms of HES soon after treatment with methylprednisolone was begun. In the first patient long-term methylprednisolone therapy was healed successfully. For 2 years he has shown no clinical signs or symptoms of HES. The second patient is still undergoing long-term therapy with 4 mg of methylprednisolone daily. The histologic findings of the skin biopsy in the second patient were not typical for HES, but skin changes completely healed after corticosteroid therapy. This could mean that that the described skin changes were one of the HES skin manifestations. The other possibility is that the skin changes emerge in coincidence with HES.     

Effects of colloid resuscitation on peripheral microcirculation, hemodynamics, and colloidal osmotic pressure during acute severe hemorrhage in rabbits

We examined the effects of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on the microcirculation, hemodynamics, and colloidal osmotic pressure in a rabbit model of hemorrhagic shock. A total of 40 rabbits was anesthetized with pentobarbital and isoflurane, and they were mechanically ventilated. An ear chamber was prepared to examine blood vessels by intravital microscopy. Shock was induced by removing nearly half of the circulating blood volume. Twenty rabbits received 20 mL of HES by intravenous infusion immediately after blood letting. Additional HES was then administered intravenously to a total volume of 100 mL. The other 20 rabbits (control) were intravenously given 40 mL of lactated Ringer's solution (LR), followed by additional LR to a total volume of 200 mL, administered under the same conditions as HES. After blood letting, arteriolar diameter decreased similarly in the the HES and LR groups (HES, 40.5% +/- 14.8% of the baseline value versus LR, 43.3% +/- 13.1%). After the completion of infusion, arteriolar diameter significantly recovered to 90.8% +/- 10.2% of the baseline value in the HES group as compared with only 62.6% +/- 10.7% in the LR group (P < 0.005). Recovery of arterial blood flow velocity and blood flow rate was also significantly better in the HES group than in the LR group (P < 0.005). Mean arteriolar pressure, central venous pressure, and plasma colloid osmotic pressure after the completion of infusion were significantly greater in the HES group than in the LR group (P < 0.005). We conclude that intravenous infusion of HES effectively maintains the microcirculation, hemodynamics, and colloidal osmotic pressure in a rabbit model of acute severe hemorrhage.     

Effects of fluid resuscitation on mesenteric microvascular blood flow and lymphatic activity after severe hemorrhagic shock in rats

We investigated the acute microcirculatory effects, including mesenteric lymphatic pumping, of volume replacement with different iso- or hypertonic/oncotic solutions after severe hemorrhage (mean arterial pressure [MAP] approximately 35 mmHg during 30 min) in halothane-anesthetized Wistar rats. Resuscitation was achieved 30 min after induction of shock with one of the following solutions: autologous blood (BL); 0.9% NaCl (IS), 7.5% NaCl (HS); 5% bovine serum albumin (BSA); 0.9% NaCl-6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES), or 7.5% NaCl-HES (HES 7.5). MAP was partially and transiently restored by infusion of IS or HS, whereas in the groups treated with BL, HES, HES 7.5, or BSA, there was a complete restoration of blood pressure in the 30-min period after infusion. Microvascular blood flow (MBF), measured by laser Doppler flowmetry, was reduced by 59% +/- 7% 10 min after bleeding. MBF was also transiently restored after infusion of IS, HS, BL, BSA, or HES. HES 7.5 was the only solution able to induce immediate and sustained (60 min) restoration of preshock levels of MBF. Volume replacement with IS or HES 7.5 resulted respectively in long-lasting or transient lymphatic pumping overload. On the other hand, resuscitation with all other solutions, except BSA, did not restore lymphatic activity to preshock levels. We also observed a significant reduction of the diameter of mesenteric terminal arterioles (15-30 microm) after bleeding, which was reversed temporarily in IS, BL, and HES groups, whereas resuscitation with HES 7.5 solution was able to maintain arterioles dilated until the end of the experimental period. Therefore, it is concluded that the association of hyperoncotic and hyperosmotic solutions, represented here by HES 7.5, induces positive effects with respect to the macro- and microhemodynamics accompanied by restoration and maintenance of the interstitial drainage system, being indicated for maintenance of postresuscitation cardiovascular and microvascular function.     

Attenuation of capillary leakage by hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.42) in a porcine model of septic shock

OBJECTIVES: Capillary leakage, a frequent complication in septic shock, is characterized by loss of intravasal fluid resulting in generalized edema and hemodynamic instability despite massive fluid therapy. We have shown that administration of an established colloid 200/0.5 hydroxyethyl starch (HES) stabilized plasma volume in a porcine septic shock model. Recently, a new HES with a low molecular weight (130 kD) and lower molar substitution (0.42) has been developed. In this study, we compared effects of HES 130/0.42 and HES 200/0.5 on capillary leakage in porcine septic shock. DESIGN: Prospective randomized, controlled animal study. SETTING: University department of anesthesiology. SUBJECTS: Fourteen pigs (22.9 +/- 2.8 kg). INTERVENTIONS: Anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs were observed over 6 hrs. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Septic shock was induced with fecal peritonitis (0.75 g.kg of body weight autologous feces). Animals were allocated to volume-replacement therapy with either HES 130/0.42 (n = 5) or HES 200/0.5 (n = 5) and compared with nonseptic controls receiving HES 130/0.42 (n = 4). Infusion rate was titrated to maintain a central venous pressure of 12 mm Hg. Albumin escape rate was calculated using iodine 125-labeled albumin. Plasma volume was determined using chromium-51-tagged erythrocytes. Albumin escape rate increased significantly in both groups in comparison to controls (HES 200/0.5, 45% +/- 3; HES 130/0.42, 38% +/- 5), but this increase was significantly smaller with HES 130/0.42. Both HES 200/0.5 (-14%, not significant) and HES 130/0.42 (-1%, not significant) stabilized plasma volume compared with controls. Systemic oxygenation was not significantly altered in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In this porcine septic shock model, HES 130/0.42 attenuated capillary leakage significantly more effectively than HES 200/0.5.     

Influence of hydroxyethyl starch (6% HES 130/0.4) administration on hematology and clinical chemistry parameters

BACKGROUND: The chemical inertness of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) might cause interferences of the colloid with a variety of laboratory tests. We aimed to evaluate potential influences of HES 130/0.4, the newest HES type, on several common hematology and clinical chemistry parameters. METHODS AND RESULTS: A convenient sample of 25 patients scheduled for rheological therapy with 500 mL 6% HES 130/0.4 was evaluated. Blood samples were drawn before and after colloid application. Comparing pre- and post-infusion values of a battery of laboratory tests (i.e., hematology and hemostasis parameters, electrolytes, enzymes, kidney and metabolic parameters, lipids, etc.) in time course, a median difference greater than the reference change value for a specific parameter was considered clinically relevant. Among all parameters tested, only serum amylase activity displayed a clinically relevant difference between pre- and post-infusion values (median increase of 85% due to HES administration). By applying in vitro experiments, we demonstrated that serum amylase values obtained in the samples diluted in a 1:1 ratio with HES 130/0.4 and in samples diluted in a 1:1 ratio with 0.9% NaCl displayed a negligible median difference of 3%. CONCLUSIONS: The in vivo effect of HES 130/0.4 administration on serum amylase activity observed in our study was pharmacological (real) in nature. With the exception of the influence of HES 130/0.4 on amylase activity, the effects of HES 130/0.4 on other parameters tested in this study can be interpreted as having no clinical relevance.     

Modified fluid gelatin. An alternative macromolecular agent for centrifugal leukapheresis

We studied a French modified fluid gelatin (MFG), substituting it for hydroxyethyl starch (HES) in leukapheresis procedures using three currently available blood cell separators, and observing its effects on the function of platelets and granulocytes. As a cell-collecting agent, we found MFG to be as effective as HES with intermittent flow centrifugation (Haemonetics), and slightly less so with one continuous flow device (IBM 2997). MFG was clearly less effective than HES with the Fenwal CS-3000 continuous flow separator, although we have reason to believe it would be possible to improve efficiency with this machine by changing the operating variables. Tests of platelet and granulocyte function showed negligible alteration with either agent and no difference between them. MFG disappears much more rapidly from the circulation than HES (after a single injection, it is undetectable by the third day). Reaction frequency with MFG was about the same as that of HES, with perhaps somewhat more frequent allergic manifestations.     

Hydroxyethyl starch – can the safety problems be ignored?

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) has come into widespread use for fluid management of acutely ill patients. Certain characteristic complications of HES, notably renal impairment, hemorrhage and pruritus, have been well documented with all types of HES solutions. The use of HES solutions with lower molecular weight and substitution has been claimed to minimize these safety risks. In particular, solutions of 200 kDa molecular weight and 0.5 substitution (HES 200/0.5) and of 130 kDa molecular weight and 0.4 substitution (HES 130/0.4) have been advocated for their superior safety profile. A critical appraisal of the available evidence does not provide reassurance that these or other HES solutions are risk free. Most evidence indicates the equivalence of HES 200/0.5 and HES 130/0.4 with respect to effectiveness for volume expansion. Since HES 130/0.4 is newer, its safety profile is less well characterized; however, it appears to share the same complication risks as those of HES 200/0.5. In randomized clinical trials employing sensitive markers, both HES 200/0.5 and HES 130/0.4 have been shown to impair renal function. Both coagulopathy and clinical bleeding have been documented after administration of either HES 200/0.5 or HES 130/0.4, and the magnitude of negative effects on hemostasis has been similar for these two HES solutions. Pruritus is a common side effect of all HES solutions, including HES 200/0.5 and HES 130/0.4, and can occur in diverse clinical settings in some cases after only small HES doses. Typically presenting as pruritic crises of delayed onset, this complication is often severe, protracted and refractory to treatment. An additional risk of HES infusion is the occurrence of potentially life-threatening anaphylactoid reactions, which are 4.5 times as frequent after HES as albumin exposure. Limiting the dose and duration of HES therapy may be helpful in lessening the risk of undesired side effects; at present however, reliance on particular HES solutions does not appear sufficient to ensure safety.     

Selection of optimal quantity of hydroxyethyl starch in the cardiopulmonary bypass prime

Ringer's solution prime reduces colloid osmotic pressure and causes edema during cardiopulmonary bypass, while hydroxyethyl starch (HES) can be used to attenuate this effect. Fifty patients were classified into five equal groups: Group I (preoperative patients) is the control group and the other four groups (II, III, IV, V) received different volume ratios of Ringer's solution to HES (1:0, 2:1, 1:2, 0:1, respectively). This study was aimed at evaluating the optimal quantity of HES regarding body fluids expansion, ventilation and recovery time, blood rheologic properties, clotting parameters, platelet counts, blood loss and red blood cell membrane properties. The results showed a reduction in interstitial fluid (ISF) expansion, changes in blood rheologic properties with the increase in HES quantity and shorter ventilation and recovery times in Groups IV and V. We concluded that the optimal HES quantity in the prime is two thirds, which insures an 85% reduction of ISF relative to Group II, shorter ventilation and recovery times and avoidance of the hazards of high levels of HES.     

高嗜酸性粒细胞综合征的临床及实验室特征研究

目的 探讨高嗜酸性粒细胞综合征(HES)各亚型的临床及实验室特点,尤其是骨髓及外周血涂片中嗜酸性粒细胞的形态学特征.方法 回顾性分析该院2017-2020年63例HES患者的临床和实验室资料,复检外周血和骨髓涂片中嗜酸性粒细胞的形态学特征.结果 63例H ES患者中有反应性HES患者54例,特发性HES患者9例.反应性...     

Clinical analysis of hypereosinophilic syndrome first presenting with asthma-like symptoms

IntroductionClinical manifestations of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) are diverse. This study aimed to summarise these clinical characteristics with asthma-like onset as the first symptom, and compare these characteristics and treatment strategies between idiopathic and parasitic HES.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively analysed 36 HES patients with asthma-like symptoms as the first episode, between January 2013 and October 2019. Data of patients with HES of an unknown cause (idiopathic HES) and parasitic infection (parasite HES) were analysed.ResultsThe idiopathic and parasite HES groups included 16 and 20 patients, respectively, with more males in the parasite HES group (p < .05). Wheezing and dry rales was the most common symptom and signs, with no significant differences in symptoms and signs between the groups. The most often misdiagnosed disease was bronchial asthma. The peripheral blood eosinophil count was significantly increased compared with normal counts in both groups (p > .05). Abnormal pulmonary function is mainly manifested as obstructive ventilatory disorder and mixed ventilatory disorder. Chest computed tomography showed extensive ground-glass exudation, patches, consolidation, nodules, and pleural effusion. Histopathological examination showed eosinophilic infiltration without vasculitis or granuloma. Glucocorticoids had a significant therapeutic effect, and the parasite HES group required combined deworming drugs. The duration of corticosteroids therapy in the idiopathic HES group was significantly longer than that in the parasite HES group (p < .05). The overall prognosis was good, and 81.25% of the patients were clinically cured in the parasite HES group; however, relapse occurred easily in the idiopathic HES group.ConclusionsAsthma-like symptoms, obstructive ventilatory disorder or positive bronchial dilation test, and poor response to inhaled corticosteroids are not necessarily indicative of refractory asthma; HES should be considered. The clinical characteristics of HES of different aetiologies are similar. Systemic corticosteroid therapy is preferred for idiopathic and parasitic infections. Idiopathic HES is treated with prolonged corticosteroids and relapses easily.

Key Messages

• Asthma-like symptoms, obstructive ventilatory disorder or positive bronchial dilation tests, and poor responses to inhaled corticosteroids are not necessarily indicative of refractory asthma, and hypereosinophilic syndrome should be considered.
• The clinical characteristics of hypereosinophilic syndrome of different aetiologies are similar, and systemic glucocorticoid therapy is preferred for both idiopathic and parasitic infections.
• Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is treated with prolonged corticosteroids and relapses easily.

     

Efficacy and safety of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (Voluven) for perioperative volume replacement in children undergoing cardiac surgery: a propensity-matched analysis

IntroductionSix percent hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 is considered an alternative to human albumin (HA) and crystalloids for volume replacement in children undergoing cardiac surgery. In this large propensity-matched analysis, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of replacing HA with HES for intraoperative volume therapy in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed our database, including children who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2002 and December 2010. Four percent HA was used until 2005; it was replaced by HES thereafter. Demographic data, intra- and postoperative blood loss and blood component transfusions were recorded, together with the incidence of postoperative complications and mortality. We performed a propensity-matched analysis using 13 possible confounding factors to compare children who received either HES or HA intraoperatively. The primary objectives included the effects of both fluids on intraoperative fluid balance (difference between fluids in and fluids out (efficacy)) and blood loss and exposure to allogeneic blood products (safety). Secondary safety outcomes were mortality and the incidence of postoperative renal dysfunction.ResultsOf 1,832 children reviewed, 1,495 were included in the analysis. Intraoperative use of HES was associated with a less positive fluid balance. Perioperative blood loss, volume of red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma administered, as well as the number of children who received transfusions, were also significantly lower in the HES group. No difference was observed regarding the incidence of postoperative renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy or of morbidity and mortality.ConclusionsThese results confirm that the use of HES for volume replacement in children during cardiac surgery with CPB is as safe as HA. In addition, its use might be associated with less fluid accumulation. Further large studies are needed to assess whether the reduction in fluid accumulation could have a significant impact on postoperative morbidity and mortality.     

Hydroxyethyl starch is an alternative washing solution for peripheral bloodstem cells products

Cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) involves slow rate cooling in the presence of a cryoprotectant (DMSO) to avoid the damaging effects of intracellular ice formation. The infusion of DMSO with the thawed product has been related to adverse events. Reduction of DMSO content by washing the HSCs after thawing has been suggested as a method to avoid infusion-related side-effects. Albumin-dextran washing methods have proved useful in thawing HSC products. Dextran40 shortages prompted us to search for suitable alternatives. We report the results of a comparative study of the use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) as an alternative to dextran40 for washing thawed HSCs products. A total of 10 HSC bags cryopreserved with 10 % DMSO were used. We conducted a paired study; one of the bags was thawed and washed with our standard washing solution (Dextran 40) and the paired bag with HES solution with a final HES and Human Serum Albumin (HSA) concentration of 2.4 % and 4.2 % respectively. Each final product was tested immediately after washing (sample 0’) and after 90 min (sample 90’) for total nucleated cells (TNC) recovery, acridine orange viability, viable CD34+ enumeration, and clonogenicity. No significant difference was found for any of the cell counts, viability tests, cell recovery, or potency. We can state that the washing solution based on 2.4 % HES and 4.2 % HSA is equivalent to that used in our routine practice. Therefore, we could use the solution with HES, paying special attention to the renal function of the recipient.     

Systematic analysis of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) reviews: proliferation of low-quality reviews overwhelms the results of well-performed meta-analyses

Purpose

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is a synthetic colloid used widely for resuscitation despite the availability of safer, less costly fluids. Numerous HES reviews have been published that may have influenced clinicians’ practice. We have therefore examined the relationship between the methodological quality of published HES reviews, authors’ potential conflicts of interest (pCOI) and the recommendations made.

Methods

Systematic analysis of reviews on HES use.

Results

Between 1975 and 2010, 165 reviews were published containing recommendations for or against HES use. From the 1990s onwards, favorable reviews increased from two to eight per year and HES’s share of the artificial colloid market tripled from 20 to 60?%. Only 7?% (12/165) of these reviews of HES use contained meta-analyses; these 7 % had higher Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire (OQAQ) scores [median (range) 6.5 (3–7)] than reviews without meta-analysis [2 (1–4); p?p?Conclusions Low-quality HES reviews reached different conclusions than high-quality meta-analyses from independent entities, such as Cochrane Reviews. The majority of these low-quality positive HES reviews were written by a small group of authors, most of whom had or have since established ties to industry. The proliferation of positive HES reviews has been associated with increased utilization of an expensive therapy despite the lack of evidence for meaningful clinical benefit and increased risks. Clinicians need to be more informed that marketing efforts are potentially influencing scientific literature.     

Very early stage left ventricular endocardial dysfunction of patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome

Cardiac involvement in hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) patients entails significant morbidity and mortality. Left ventricular (LV) endocardial damage is important for the development of cardiac involvement in HES patients. However very early stage LV endocardial damage, such as prior to the first stage of an acute necrotic stage, remains uncertain. We studied 32 HES patients, all with normal conventional echocardiographic findings. Global radial and circumferential strain (GRS and GCS) were determined for each peak global strain curve from the mid-LV short-axis view, and global longitudinal strain (GLS) was averaged each peak global strain curve from standard apical views by means of two-dimensional speckle-tracking method. Thirty-one age-, gender-, LV ejection fraction-matched normal subjects were studied for comparison. GRS and GRS were similar for HES patients and normal controls, but GLS for HES patients was significantly lower than that for normal controls (16.2?±?3.3?% vs 19.3?±?2.9?%, p?<?0.001). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified GLS ≤17.0?% as the best predictor of LV endocardial dysfunction with a sensitivity of 66?%, specificity of 78?%, and area under the curve of 0.781 (p?=?0.0001). In conclusions, LV endocardial dysfunction pre-existed even in HES patients without apparent cardiac involvement. GLS as assessed with the two-dimensional speckle-tracking method is a promising tool for the better management of very early stage of HES patients.     

PRO: hydroxyethylstarch can be safely used in the intensive care patient—the renal debate

Introduction  Correcting hypovolemia is fundamental when treating the critically ill. Different hydroxyethylstarch (HES) preparations with different physicochemical characteristics (mean molecular weight (Mw), molar substitution (MS), C₂/C₆ ratio, balanced/unbalanced) are available. The possible detrimental effect of HES on kidney function has become a major objection to using HES. Methods  This review focuses on the effect of HES on kidney function. Results  First and second-generation HES with high Mw (>200 kD) and high MS (>0.5) have been shown to impair kidney function in some studies of septic patients, especially when using hyperoncotic HES. More rapidly degradable HES preparations (Mw 130 kD; MS < 0.5) did not cause deterioration of kidney function in a variety of clinical conditions. Even when kidney function was impaired (serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL) this HES preparation was without negative effect. Dissolving HES in a balanced solution instead of saline may further improve the safety of HES with regard to kidney function. Dose limitations of the specific HES preparation should be carefully considered. Conclusions  Hyperoncotic HES should not be used in patients who are at risk of developing kidney dysfunction. In patients without preexisting kidney dysfunction there seems to be no negative effects of modern HES preparations. In septic patients with reduced kidney function (serum creatinine >2.5 mg/dL) HES should be used cautiously, because studies of these patients are not available. Dissolving HES in a balanced solution further improves the safety of HES with regard to kidney function. At present, there seems to be no good reason to generally ban use of HES in our patients. The article arguing against this proposition is available at: doi:.     

Modified fluid gelatin in leukapheresis accumulation and persistence in the body

Current methods for centrifuged granulocyte procurement involve the use of an agent to produce red cell rouleaux and enhance separation of leukocytes. Hydroxyethyl starch (HES), the agent most frequently used, has the disadvantage of causing progressive volume expansion and persisting in the circulation for long periods. We therefore assessed modified fluid gelatin (MFG) as a possible replacement for HES during granulocyte collection. We found that MFG is cleared more rapidly from the circulation with no traces remaining 7 days after multiple exposure, as determined by hydroxyproline measurement. However, after four consecutive daily infusions, we measured 0.60 liters plasma expansion in four individuals tested, somewhat lower than the 0.85 liters previously reported for HES. Modified fluid gelatin causes no impairment of coagulation with normal prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and platelet function.     

Resuscitation with low volume hydroxyethylstarch 130 kDa/0.4 is not associated with acute kidney injury

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in the ICU is associated with poorer prognosis. Hydroxyethylstarch (HES) solutions are fluid resuscitation colloids frequently used in the ICU with controversial nephrotoxic adverse effects. Our study objective was to evaluate HES impact on renal function and organ failures.

Methods

This observational retrospective study included 363 patients hospitalized for more than 72 hours in our ICU. A hundred and sixty eight patients received HES during their stay and 195 did not. We recorded patients'' baseline characteristics on admission and type and volume of fluid resuscitation during the first 3 weeks of ICU stay. We also noted the evolution of urine output, the risk of renal dysfunction, injury to the kidney, failure of kidney function, loss of kidney function and end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) classification and sepsis related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score over 3 weeks.

Results

Patients in the HES group were more severely ill on admission but AKI incidence was similar, as well as ICU mortality. The evolution of urine output (P = 0.74), RIFLE classification (P = 0.44) and SOFA score (P = 0.23) was not different. However, HES volumes administered were low (763+/-593 ml during the first 48 hours).

Conclusions

Volume expansion with low volume HES 130 kDa/0.4 was not associated with AKI.