Open randomized trial of the effects of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4/9 and 5% albumin on safety profile, volume efficacy, and glycocalyx degradation in hepatic and pancreatic surgery

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4/9 compared to 5% albumin on renal and coagulation safety profiles, volume efficacy and glycocalyx degradation in major abdominal surgery.

Methods: The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee as a single center, open-labeled randomized trial. Fifty patients undergoing hepatic or pancreatic surgery were randomly assigned to the HES group (n = 25), who received HES 130/0.4/9, or the Albumin group (n = 25), who received 5% albumin. Ringer's acetate solution (3 ml/kg/h) and colloid solution (2 mL/kg/h) were infused and goal-directed fluid management was performed to stabilize hemodynamics. Perioperative changes and differences in serum creatinine, N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), hemodynamics, coagulation parameters and glycocalyx biomarkers were compared between the groups. Blood loss and requirements for transfusion and vasoactive agents were also examined. Statistical analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square or Fisher exact test, with P < 0.05 taken to be significant.

Results: Serum creatinine levels did not differ between the HES and Albumin groups (median: 0.67 vs. 0.75 mg/dL at anesthesia induction, 0.82 vs. 0.83 mg/dL at ICU admission, 0.67 vs. 0.73 mg/dL one day after surgery, 0.68 vs. 0.70 mg/dL one month after surgery). NAG, coagulation parameters, hemodynamics, glycocalyx biomarkers, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion and use of vasoactive agents did not differ between the groups.

Conclusion: HES 130/0.4/9 can be used as safely and effectively as 5% albumin. Glycocalyx degradation did not differ between use of these solutions in major abdominal surgery.

Keywords: Glycocalyx; Hydroxyethyl starch derivatives; Volume therapy.