Goal-directed colloid versus crystalloid therapy and microcirculatory blood flow following ischemia/reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia/reperfusion can impair microcirculatory blood flow. It remains unknown whether colloids are superior to crystalloids for restoration of microcirculatory blood flow during ischemia/reperfusion injury. We tested the hypothesis that goal-directed colloid - compared to crystalloid - therapy improves small intestinal, renal, and hepatic microcirculatory blood flow in pigs with ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: This was a randomized trial in 32 pigs. We induced ischemia/reperfusion by supra-celiac aortic-cross-clamping. Pigs were randomized to receive either goal-directed isooncotic hydroxyethyl-starch colloid or balanced isotonic crystalloid therapy. Microcirculatory blood flow was measured using Laser-Speckle-Contrast-Imaging. The primary outcome was small intestinal, renal, and hepatic microcirculatory blood flow 4.5 h after ischemia/reperfusion. Secondary outcomes included small intestinal, renal, and hepatic histopathological damage, macrohemodynamic and metabolic variables, as well as specific biomarkers of tissue injury, renal, and hepatic function and injury, and endothelial barrier function. RESULTS: Small intestinal microcirculatory blood flow was higher in pigs assigned to isooncotic hydroxyethyl-starch colloid therapy than in pigs assigned to balanced isotonic crystalloid therapy (768.7 (677.2-860.1) vs. 595.6 (496.3-694.8) arbitrary units, p = .007). There were no important differences in renal (509.7 (427.2-592.1) vs. 442.1 (361.2-523.0) arbitrary units, p = .286) and hepatic (604.7 (507.7-701.8) vs. 548.7 (444.0-653.3) arbitrary units, p = .376) microcirculatory blood flow between groups. Pigs assigned to colloid - compared to crystalloid - therapy also had less small intestinal, but not renal and hepatic, histopathological damage. CONCLUSIONS: Goal-directed isooncotic hydroxyethyl-starch colloid - compared to balanced isotonic crystalloid - therapy improved small intestinal, but not renal and hepatic, microcirculatory blood flow in pigs with ischemia/reperfusion injury. Whether colloid therapy improves small intestinal microcirculatory blood flow in patients with ischemia/reperfusion needs to be investigated in clinical trials.

Slow Intravenous Infusion of a Novel Damage Control Cocktail Decreases Blood Loss in a Pig Polytrauma Model.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to optimize a novel damage control resuscitation (DCR) cocktail composed of hydroxyethyl starch, vasopressin, and fibrinogen concentrate for the polytraumatized casualty. We hypothesized that slow intravenous infusion of the DCR cocktail in a pig polytrauma model would decrease internal hemorrhage and improve survival compared with bolus administration. METHODS: We induced polytrauma, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), femoral fracture, hemorrhagic shock, and free bleeding from aortic tear injury, in 18 farm pigs. The DCR cocktail consisted of 6% hydroxyethyl starch in Ringer's lactate solution (14mL/kg), vasopressin (0.8U/kg), and fibrinogen concentrate (100mg/kg) in a total fluid volume of 20mL/kg that was either divided in half and given as two boluses separated by 30 minutes as control or given as a continuous slow infusion over 60 minutes. Nine animals were studied per group and monitored for up to 3 hours. Outcomes included internal blood loss, survival, hemodynamics, lactate concentration, and organ blood flow obtained by colored microsphere injection. RESULTS: Mean internal blood loss was significantly decreased by 11.1mL/kg with infusion compared with the bolus group (p = .038). Survival to 3 hours was 80% with infusion and 40% with bolus, which was not statistically different (Kaplan Meier log-rank test, p = .17). Overall blood pressure was increased (p < .001), and blood lactate concentration was decreased (p < .001) with infusion compared with bolus. There were no differences in organ blood flow (p > .09). CONCLUSION: Controlled infusion of a novel DCR cocktail decreased hemorrhage and improved resuscitation in this polytrauma model compared with bolus. The rate of infusion of intravenous fluids should be considered as an important aspect of DCR.

Hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanocrystals for cancer therapy.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been recognized as the culprit for tumor progression, treatment resistance, metastasis, and recurrence while redox homeostasis represents the Achilles' Heel of CSCs. However, few drugs or formulations that are capable of elevating oxidative stress have achieved clinical success for eliminating CSCs. Here, we report hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanoparticles (CuET@HES NPs), which conspicuously suppress CSCs not only in vitro but also in numerous tumor models in vivo. Furthermore, CuET@HES NPs effectively inhibit CSCs in fresh tumor tissues surgically excised from hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Mechanistically, we uncover that hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanocrystals via copper­oxygen coordination interactions, thereby promoting copper-diethyldithiocarbamate colloidal stability, cellular uptake, intracellular reactive oxygen species production, and CSCs apoptosis. As all components are widely used in clinics, CuET@HES NPs represent promising treatments for CSCs-rich solid malignancies and hold great clinical translational potentials. This study has critical implications for design of CSCs targeting nanomedicines.

Manipulation of Nitric Oxide Levels via a Modified Hydroxyethyl Starch Molecule.

INTRODUCTION: Although the improving effect of nitric oxide (NO) donors has experimentally been demonstrated in shock, there are still no NO donor medications clinically available. Thiol-nitrosothiol-hydroxyethyl starch (S-NO-HES) is a novel molecule consisting of NO coupled to a thiolated derivative of hydroxyethyl starch (HES). It was aimed to assess the ability of S-NO-HES to serve as an NO donor under a variety of in vitro simulated physiologic conditions, which might be the first step to qualify this molecule as a novel type of NO donor-fluid. METHODS: We studied the effect of temperature on NO-releasing properties of S-NO-HES in blood, at 34°C, 37°C, and 41°C. Ascorbic acid (Asc) and amylase were also tested in a medium environment. In addition, we evaluated the activity of S-NO-HES in the isolated aortic ring and Langendorff-perfused heart setup. RESULTS: The NO release property of S-NO-HES was found at any temperature. Asc led to a significant increase in the production of NO compared to S-NO-HES incubation (P < 0.05). The addition of amylase together with Asc to the medium further increased the release of NO (P < 0.05). S-NO-HES exerted significant vasodilatory effects on phenylephrine precontracted aortic rings that were dose-dependent (P < 0.01). Furthermore, S-NO-HES significantly increased the heart rate and additionally reduced the duration of the cardiac action potential, as indicated by a reduction of QTc-B values (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated for the first time that the S-NO-HES molecule exhibited its NO-releasing effects. The effectiveness of this new NO donor to substitute NO deficiency under septic conditions or in other indications needs to be studied.

Human albumin and 6% hydroxyethyl starches (130/0.4) in cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis revisited.

BACKGROUND: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was recently published in BMC Surgery that compared the use of human albumin with 6% hydroxyethyl starches 130/0.4 for cardiopulmonary bypass prime and perioperative fluid management in pediatric and adult cardiac surgery patients. The two plasma expanding solutions are described as equivalent for efficacy and safety outcomes, and, on that basis, the preferential use of hydroxyethyl starches 130/0.4 was recommended for economic reasons because of the higher unit costs of human albumin solutions. RESULTS: In addition to the fact that trials were mostly small, single-center studies and the number of total participants was low, making the meta-analysis underpowered for several outcomes, selective reporting of data for ICU length of stay was identified. Re-calculation of statistics at higher precision showed that ICU length of stay of patients in the human albumin group was significantly shorter than that of patients in the 6% hydroxyethyl starches 130/0.4 group (standard mean difference - 0.181, 95% confidence interval - 0.361 to - 0.001, P = 0.049), which may offset any proposed economic advantage of using 6% hydroxyethyl starches 130/0.4. At the same time, the renal safety of 6% hydroxyethyl starches 130/0.4 in surgical patients is under regulatory review. CONCLUSIONS: Underpowered trials and selective reporting may impair the validity of the meta-analysis. A more cautious conclusion about the interchangeability between human albumin and 6% hydroxyethyl starches 130/0.4 in cardiac surgery should have been reached.

A pilot study on impact of use of medium molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch in granulocyte apheresis using Spectra Optia.

INTRODUCTION: Granulocyte transfusion (GT) is a therapeutic option for prolonged neutropenic patients with severe bacterial or fungal infections. Efficient apheresis based granulocyte collection may be better achieved by infusion of high-molecular-weight (HMW) hydroxyethyl starch (HES). But multiple adverse incidents have been reported with HMW-HES. Due to availability issues and adverse incidents related to it, use of HMW-HES has become limited. Few studies have mentioned about medium molecular weight HES (MMW-HES) (130 kDa) as efficient for this purpose with minimal adverse incidents. So, the aim was to assess the impact of the use of MMW-HES in granulocyte apheresis when using Spectra Optia. METHODOLOGY: In this observational study, donors who received MMW-HES during granulocyte harvest were included in HES group and another group who did not receive HES were grouped as non-HES. Injection G-CSF 10 microgram/kg and tablet dexamethasone 8 mg given 12 h before for non-HES group and 6 - 8 h in case of HES group blood donors. Number of adverse incidents observed were noted. Donor/procedure parameters were compared using Mann-Whitney U test / unpaired t test. RESULTS: Granulocyte yield was significantly higher in the HES group (2.5 × 1010 vs. 1.75 × 1010, p < 0.01) and was attributed to the difference in collection efficiency (22.61% vs. 10.15%, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in occurrence of adverse events between HES and non-HES groups. CONCLUSION: Our results clearly indicate that sufficient number of granulocytes can be harvested by using MMW-HES in Spectra Optia apheresis system even after short interval between mobilization to harvest.

Modified fluid gelatin 4% for perioperative volume replacement in pediatric patients (GPS): Results of a European prospective noninterventional multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Modified fluid gelatin 4% is approved for use in children, but there is still a surprising lack of clinical studies including large numbers of pediatric patients. Therefore, we performed a European prospective noninterventional multicenter study to evaluate the use of a modified fluid gelatin 4% in saline (sal-GEL) or an acetate-containing balanced electrolyte solution (bal-GEL) in children undergoing major pediatric surgery. AIMS: The primary aim was to assess the indications and dosing of modified fluid gelatin, and the secondary aim was to assess the safety and efficacy, focusing, in particular, on routinely collected clinical parameters. METHODS: Children aged up to 12 years with ASA risk scores of I-III receiving sal-GEL or bal-GEL were followed perioperatively. Demographic data, surgical procedures performed, anesthesia, hemodynamic and laboratory data, adverse events, and adverse drug reactions were documented using a standardized case report form. RESULTS: 601 children that were investigated at 13 European pediatric centers from May 2015 to March 2020 (sal-GEL 20.1%, bal-GEL 79.9%; mean age 29.1 ± 38.6 (range 0-144) months; body weight 12.1 ± 10.5 (1.4-70) kg) were included in the analysis. The most frequent indications for GEL infusion were hemodynamic instability without bleeding (76.0%), crystalloids alone not being sufficient for hemodynamic stabilization (55.7%), replacement of preoperative deficit (26.0%), and significant bleeding (13.0%). Mean infused GEL volume was 13.0 ± 5.3 (2.4-37.5) ml kg-1 . The total dose was affected by age, with higher doses in younger patients. After gelatin infusion, mean arterial pressure increased (mean change 8.5 ± 7.3 [95% CI: 8 to 9.1] mmHg), and the hemoglobin concentrations decreased significantly (mean change -1.1 ± 1.8 [95% CI: -1.2 to -0.9] g·dL-1 ). Acid-base parameters were more stable with bal-GEL. No serious adverse drug reactions directly related to gelatin (i.e., anaphylactoid reaction, clotting disorders, and renal failure) were observed. CONCLUSION: Moderate doses up to 20 ml kg-1 of modified fluid gelatin were infused most frequently to improve hemodynamic stability in children undergoing major pediatric surgery. The acid-base balance was more stable when gelatin in a balanced electrolyte solution was used instead of saline. No serious adverse drug reactions associated with gelatin were observed.

Hydroxyethyl Starch Improves the Prognosis of Rats with Traumatic Shock via Activation of the ERK Signaling Pathway in Lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Severe traumatic shock is one of the leading causes of death in young adults. A large number of studies have shown that effective volumetry resuscitation on the basis of controlled injury can not only increase the success rate of early resuscitation but also reduce systemic inflammatory response and improve the cure rate of severe traumatic shock. The study explored the effects of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on the survival rate, lymphocyte function and proliferation of rats with traumatic shock, and the potential mechanisms. METHODS: Traumatic shock was constructed in rats as experimental model, and liquid resuscitation was performed using HES and lactated Ringer's (LR). 24-h mortality was recorded, and lymphocytes were isolated. The expressions of signaling pathway factors was detected by qPCR and Western blot. ELISA was performed to determine the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cell supernatant. RESULTS: HES for fluid resuscitation augmented the survival of traumatic shock rats, upregulated the expressions of MEK and ERK1/2, and downregulated the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α. However, inhibition of ERK signaling pathway reversed the effect of HES on the immune improvement and the 24-h survival rate of the traumatic shock rats (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HES could exert the anti-inflammatory effects on lymphocytes by mediating the phosphorylation of proteins of the ERK signaling pathway. HSE demonstrated a high efficacy in effectively treating traumatic shock, thus could be used in clinical practice.

The effects of hydroxyethyl starch and gelatine on lung tissue and coagulation during the resuscitation of rats with traumatic haemorrhagic shock.

INTRODUCTION: This study was constructed to compare the effects of resuscitation with gelatine and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on coagulopathy, haemodynamics, and tissue damage during an uncontrolled haemorrhagic shock model in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty 6-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were included in the study and divided into 4 groups. There was no haemorrhage in the sham group. The others were randomised into haemorrhage without volume replacement (control group), haemorrhage and gelatine (group G), and haemorrhage and HES (group V). Blood samples for thromboelastogram and annexin 5 values were obtained before bleeding and after resuscitation. RESULTS: In the control group, R (16.18 ± 2.74) and K (5.8 ± 1.1) were significantly higher than in all other groups ( P = 0.001), and the TEG alpha angle was 39.54 ± 5.94°, which was found to be significantly lower than in the sham group ( P = 0.001). In group V, the TEG MA value was found to be significantly lower at 30.54 ± 8.89 ( P = 0.001). The annexin A5 value was significantly higher in the control group, group V, and group G than in the sham group and was highest in the control group ( P = 0.001). Lung damage score measurement was 0.60 ± 0.19 in the control group, higher than in the gelatine and HES groups ( P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lung tissue damage and coagulation were positively affected by HES or gelatine resuscitation. A reduction in clot formation in the HES group might be observed due to the possible negative effect on platelets. Therefore, we concluded that the use of gelatine might be advantageous until blood transfusion is initiated in traumatic haemorrhagic shock.

Hydroxyl Ethyl Starch (HES) Preserves Intrarenal Microcirculatory Perfusion Shown by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (Ceus), and Renal Function in a Severe Hemodilution Model in Pigs.

ABSTRACT: Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is associated with low oxygen carrying capacity of blood and purposed to cause renal injury in perioperative setting. It is best accomplished in a perioperative setting by a colloid such as hydroxyl ethyl starch (HES) due its capacity to fill the vascular compartment and maintain colloidal pressure. However, alterations of intra renal microvascular perfusion, flow and its effects on renal function and damage during ANH has not been sufficiently clarified. Based on the extensive use of HES in the perioperative setting we tested the hypothesis that the use of HES during ANH is able to perfuse the kidney microcirculation adequately without causing renal dysfunction and injury in pigs. Hemodilution (n = 8) was performed by stepwise replacing blood with HES to hematocrit (Hct) levels of 20% (T1), 15% (T2), and 10% (T3). Seven control animals were investigated. Systemic and renal hemodynamics were monitored. Renal microcirculatory perfusion was visualized and quantified using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and laser speckle imaging (LSI). In addition, sublingual microcirculation was measured by handheld vital microscopy (HVM). Intrarenal mean transit time of ultrasound contrast agent (IRMTT-CEUS) was reduced in the renal cortex at Hct 10% in comparison to control at T3 (1.4 ±â€Š0.6 vs. 2.2 ±â€Š0.7 seconds, respectively, P < 0.05). Although renal function was preserved, the serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels was higher at Hct 10% (0.033 ±â€Š0.004 pg/µg protein) in comparison to control at T3 (0.021 ±â€Š0.002 pg/µg protein. A mild correlation between CO and IRMTT (renal RBC velocity) (r -0.53; P = 0.001) and CO and NGAL levels (r 0.66; P = 0.001) was also found. Our results show that HES induced ANH is associated with a preserved intra renal blood volume, perfusion, and function in the clinical range of Hct (<15%). However, at severely low Hct (10%) ANH was associated with renal injury as indicated by increased NGAL levels. Changes in renal microcirculatory flow (CEUS and LSI) followed those seen in the sublingual microcirculation measured with HVM.

Effect of 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 on Inflammatory Response and Pulmonary Function in Patients Having Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass induces a profound inflammatory response that, when severe, can lead to multiorgan system dysfunction. Preliminary data suggest that administration of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions may mitigate an inflammatory response and improve pulmonary function. Our goal was to examine the effect of 6% HES 130/0.4 versus 5% human albumin given for intravascular plasma volume replacement on the perioperative inflammatory response and pulmonary function in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: This was a subinvestigation of a blinded, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial of patients undergoing elective aortic valve replacement surgery at the Cleveland Clinic main campus, titled "Effect of 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 on Kidney and Haemostatic Function in Cardiac Surgical Patients." Of 141 patients who were randomized to receive either 6% HES 130/0.4 or 5% human albumin for intraoperative plasma volume replacement, 135 patients were included in the data analysis (HES n = 66, albumin n = 69). We assessed the cardiopulmonary bypass-induced inflammatory response end points by comparing the 2 groups' serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), measured at baseline and at 1 and 24 hours after surgery. We also compared the 2 groups' postoperative pulmonary function end points, including the ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (Pao2:Fio2 ratio), dynamic lung compliance, oxygenation index (OI), and ventilation index (VI) at baseline, within 1 hour of arrival to the intensive care unit, and before tracheal extubation. The differences in the postoperative levels of inflammatory response and pulmonary function between the HES and albumin groups were assessed individually in linear mixed models. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of the inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, MIF) were not significantly different (P ≥ .05) between patients who received 6% HES 130/0.4 or 5% albumin, and there was no significant heterogeneity of the estimated treatment effect over time (P ≥ .15). The results of pulmonary function parameters (Pao2:Fio2 ratio, dynamic compliance, OI, VI) were not significantly different (P ≥ .05) between groups, and there was no significant heterogeneity of the estimated treatment effect over time (P ≥ .15). CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation found no significant difference in the concentrations of inflammatory markers and measures of pulmonary function between cardiac surgical patients who received 6% HES 130/0.4 versus 5% albumin.

Use of hydroxyethyl starch in sepsis research: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: After being used for more than a decade the use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.38-0.45 in clinical practice was discouraged because of serious adverse events including bleeding, acute kidney injury and death. But could these adverse effects have been discovered sooner? By comparing the summary effect estimates of the adverse effects of HES 130/0.38-0.45 in different study designs we aimed to disclose any signal of this. METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library and hand-searched the reference lists of relevant studies to identify studies for inclusion. Eligible trials were randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies in patients with sepsis and randomised trials in animals with induced sepsis comparing HES 130/0.38-0.45 to any type of crystalloid. Relevant outcomes were all-cause mortality at longest follow-up, renal replacement therapy (RRT), acute kidney injury (AKI) and bleeding. We extracted data, conducted conventional meta-analyses and assessed the risk of bias and the quality of evidence. RESULTS: We included 8 RCTs including 3,273 patients, 1 observational study including 379 patients and 5 randomised animal trials including 94 test animals. There was no suggestion of interaction in subgroup analyses comparing the different study designs for any outcomes (all-cause mortality at longest follow-up p = .33; RRT p = .70; AKI p = .63; bleeding p = .20). CONCLUSIONS: We observed no interaction between the summary effect estimates of RCTs, observational studies in patients and randomised animal trials for any of the outcomes. Accordingly, we found no evidence indicating that the adverse effects of HES 130/0.38-0.45 could have been discovered sooner. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID: CRD42018103422. PROTOCOL: Johansen JR, Perner A, Brodtkorb JH, Møller MH. Use of hydroxyethyl starch in sepsis research: Protocol for a systematic review. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2019;63:814-818. https://doi.org/10.1111/aas.13345.

Clinical Outcomes and Medical Costs of Hydration Therapy with Hydroxyethyl Starch (130/0.4) or Acute Single Infarction.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of hydration with or without Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES) 130/0.4 on neurological outcomes and medical costs during hospitalisation in patients with a single infarction (SI) in the posterior lenticulostriate artery (LSA) territory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective, single-centre, non-blinded cohort study, SI in the posterior LSA was defined as an ischaemic lesion with a high-signal intensity area ≥20 mm. All patients received basic stroke care within 48 h of symptom onset between April 2015 and January 2019. Patients were divided into the following two groups by clinician's preference: 1) those administered HES 130/0.4 and 2) those receiving other infusion fluid. The relationships between hospital costs and hydration therapy type were examined. RESULTS: Eighteen (31%) of 58 patients received HES 130/0.4. The HES group had a significantly lower total cost than the control group (3.6 vs. 6.4 million yen, p=0.006). Moreover, the HES group had a significantly shorter hospital stay duration (79.5 vs. 141.0 days) and lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on day 7. Multivariate analysis found that HES 130/0.4 administration was an independent factor associated with high costs. CONCLUSIONS: Hydration therapy with HES 130/0.4 significantly decreased the total costs and hospitalisation duration of patients with SI in the posterior LSA territory.

Efficacy of Different Fluid Resuscitation Methods on Coagulation Function of Rats with Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Fluid resuscitation is widely used for treating traumatic hemorrhagic shock. We focused on the efficacies of different fluid resuscitation methods on improving coagulation function of traumatic hemorrhagic shock (THS) rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 100) were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely, Sham group, THS group, acetic acid Ringer's fluid (AR) group, hydroxyethyl starch solution (HES) group, and AR + HES group. A THS rat model was established by left femoral bleeding. The effects of different fluid resuscitation methods on conventional coagulation function parameters, Rotational thromboelastometry parameters, platelet-derived microparticles and endothelial cell-derived microparticles content of the THS rats were detected by ACL TOP system, rotation thromboelastometry, and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: Using AR and HES alone had no significant effect on the coagulation function of THS rats, but the two in combination reduced the increases of thrombin time, prothrombin time, activated part thrombin time, international normalized ratio, fibrin degradation products, D-dimer and the decreases of platelet count and fibrinogen concentration induced by THS. The CT and CFT were significantly reduced, whereas α and MCF were increased in the THS rats in AR + HES group. The combination of AR and HES reversed the effect of THS on elevating platelet-derived microparticles and endothelial cell-derived microparticle levels. In addition, the coagulation was relatively the optimal in the AR, HES, and AR + HES groups when the mice were resuscitated to a mean arterial pressure of 60 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: AR combined with HES has a significant protective effect on coagulation function of THS rats when the mean arterial pressure reaches 60 mmHg.

A prospective randomized open-label trial on the comparative effects of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 versus polyionic isotonic crystalloids on coagulation parameters in dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (HES) and a polyionic isotonic crystalloid (CRYS) on standard coagulation tests and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) in dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum (SHP). DESIGN: Prospective randomized open-label clinical study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Forty-two client-owned dogs presented with SHP. INTERVENTIONS: Dogs diagnosed with SHP and hypovolemic shock were randomly allocated to receive HES (10 mL/kg, n = 22) or CRYS (30 mL/kg, n = 20) intravenously over 20 minutes for hemodynamic stabilization. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Parameters measured before (T0 ) and after (T1 ) treatment were HCT, platelet counts, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen concentrations, and extrinsic activated (EXTEM), intrinsic activated (INTEM), and extrinsic activated with platelet inhibition ROTEM assays. Data were analyzed as absolute values and as the percentage change from T0 to T1 . No significant differences between groups were detected in any variable at T0 , and for HCT, platelet counts, prothrombin time, activated thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen concentrations at T1 . Clot formation time in EXTEM was significantly prolonged (P = 0.037), and maximum clot firmness was significantly decreased (P = 0.038) in the HES group compared to the CRYS group at T1 . The percentage change in EXTEM clotting time (P = 0.012) and INTEM clot formation time (P = 0.031) was greater after HES than CRYS. Lysis indices remained at 100% for all ROTEM assays in both groups. CONCLUSION: Compared to a 3-fold volume of CRYS, administration of HES was associated with impairment in ROTEM parameters in dogs with SHP, but no evidence of hyperfibrinolysis was detected.

Bleeding After Musculoskeletal Surgery in Hospitals That Switched From Hydroxyethyl Starch to Albumin Following a Food and Drug Administration Warning.

BACKGROUND: While US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) black box warnings are common, their impact on perioperative outcomes is unclear. Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is associated with increased bleeding and kidney injury in patients with sepsis, leading to an FDA black box warning in 2013. Among patients undergoing musculoskeletal surgery in a subset of hospitals where colloid use changed from HES to albumin following the FDA warning, we examined the rate of major perioperative bleeding post- versus pre-FDA warning. METHODS: The authors of this article used a retrospective, quasi-experimental, repeated cross-sectional, interrupted time series study of patients undergoing musculoskeletal surgery in hospitals within the Premier Healthcare Database, in the year before and year after the 2013 FDA black box warning. We examined patients in 23 "switcher" hospitals (where the percentage of colloid recipients receiving HES exceeded 50% before the FDA warning and decreased by at least 25% in absolute terms after the FDA warning) and patients in 279 "nonswitcher" hospitals. Among patients having surgery in "switcher" and "nonswitcher" hospitals, we determined monthly rates of major perioperative bleeding during the 12 months after the FDA warning, compared to 12 months before the FDA warning. Among patients who received surgery in "switcher" hospitals, we conducted a propensity-weighted segmented regression analysis assessing differences-in-differences (DID), using patients in "nonswitcher" hospitals as a control group. RESULTS: Among 3078 patients treated at "switcher" hospitals (1892 patients treated pre-FDA warning versus 1186 patients treated post-FDA warning), demographic and clinical characteristics were well-balanced. Two hundred fifty-one (13.3%) received albumin pre-FDA warning, and 900 (75.9%) received albumin post-FDA warning. Among patients undergoing surgery in "switcher" hospitals during the pre-FDA warning period, 282 of 1892 (14.9%) experienced major bleeding during the hospitalization, compared to 149 of 1186 (12.6%) following the warning. In segmented regression, the adjusted ratio of slopes for major perioperative bleeding post- versus pre-FDA warning was 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-1.04). In the DID estimate using "nonswitcher" hospitals as a control group, the ratio of ratios was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.46-1.86), indicating no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a subset of hospitals where colloid use for musculoskeletal surgery changed following a 2013 FDA black box warning regarding HES use in sepsis. Among patients undergoing musculoskeletal surgery at these "switcher" hospitals, there was no significant decrease in the rate of major perioperative bleeding following the warning, possibly due to incomplete practice change. Evaluation of the impact of systemic changes in health care may contribute to the understanding of patient outcomes in perioperative medicine.

Comparison of Hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (6%) with commonly used agents in an experimental Pleurodesis model.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES) 130/0.4 (6%) is a commonly used intravascular volume expander with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this study, we aimed to compare the histopathologic activity of HES 130/0.4 (6%) with various widely-used agents in pleurodesis. METHODS: Forty male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into five groups: controls, povidone-iodine recipients (PI group), sterile talcum recipients (Talcum group), autologous blood recipients (AB group) and HES 130/0.4 (6%) recipients (HES group). Thirty days after application of agents, pleural and lung tissues were resected. Evaluation was performed via macroscopic scoring (adhesion) and specimens were stained with H&E for microscopic examination (inflammation and fibrosis). RESULTS: HES recipients had significantly higher adhesion compared to controls (lower grade 0, higher grade 1 frequency vs. controls), they were found to have significantly lower frequency of grade 2 adhesion (vs. PI, Talc and AB) and grade 3 adhesion (vs. AB), indicating that the adhesion-generating properties of HES were only superior to the control group. HES recipients had significantly higher inflammatory grades compared to controls (lower grade 0, higher grade 1 frequency), while they had lower grades compared to the PI, Talc and AB groups. Although the PI, Talc and AB groups were statistically similar in most comparisons, we observed a trend towards higher success with the use of Talc and especially AB. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support a role for HES in pleurodesis. We believe that the autologous blood method remains as an effective and successful procedure without side effects.