Splanchnic Microcirculation Protection by Hydroxyethyl Starches During Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery

ObjectiveTo specifically compare the effect of two hydroxyethyl starches (HES) on the splanchnic microcirculation and systemic inflammation during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery.Materials and methodsA prospective randomised study was carried out on 62 patients who received HES of molecular-weight 200 kDa (HES200/0.62), 130 kDa (HES130/0.4) or gelatine for 24 h peri-operatively. Gastric-mucosal pHi (GpHi) and anti-endotoxin antibody were used as markers of splanchnic perfusion and endotoxaemia respectively. C-reactive protein (CRP) and lung-injury score (LIS) were used as markers of systemic inflammation and end-organ dysfunction respectively. Data was collected prospectively.ResultsThe drop in GpHi was least with HES200/0.62 compared to HES130/0.4 and gelatine at reperfusion (7.32 vs 7.28 and 7.28, p = 0.017 and 0.009 respectively) and compared to gelatine at 2 h as well (7.43 vs 7.28, p = 0.001). GpHi dropped less with HES130/0.4 compared to gelatine at 2 h (7.39 vs 7.28, p = 0.002). Endotoxaemia increased only with gelatine. CRP was lower with HES200/0.62 (178 mg/mL) than gelatine (221 mg/mL) and HES130/0.4 (223 mg/mL) at 48 h (p = 0.049 and p = 0.009 respectively). There was no difference in LIS but ventilation duration was less with HES200/0.62 compared with gelatine (4 vs 11 h, p = 0.012).ConclusionDuring AAA surgery, HES200/0.62 provides the best splanchnic microcirculation protection, also reducing inflammation and duration of ventilation (Trial ISRCTN70166506).