Intravascular Persistence of Hydroxyethyl Starch in Man

Abstract

In 2 groups, each consisting of 5 healthy volunteers, 7 ml blood/kg body weight were exchanged with equal amounts of [plasma substitutes] hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and dextran 60 solutions, respectively. Dextran 60 plasma levels, determined by the anthrone method, were undetectable after 4 wk. The elimination of HES from the blood, determined by an immunological technique and by the anthrone method, had a very protracted course. Two weeks after infusion the HES plasma concentrations were 9% of the initial value, and after 17 wk they were still above the 1% level. The prolonged intravascular persistence of HES in its commercially available preparation, and the possibility of tissue accumulation after repeated HES infusions were considered undesirable. The hypothesis that HES infusion causes an augmentation of serum .alpha.-amylase concentrations in man was confirmed. This effect should be considered when HES solutions are given to patients in whom the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis might be considered.