Thromb Haemost 1995; 74(06): 1452-1456
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1649964
Original Articles
Coagulation
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

HES 200/0.5 Is not HES 200/0.5

Influence of the C2/C6 Hydroxyethylation Ratio of Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES) on Hemorheology, Coagulation and Elimination Kinetics
Johannes Treib
1   The Department of Neurology, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Anton Haass
1   The Department of Neurology, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Gerhard Pindur
2   The Department of Hemostaseology and Transfusion Medicine, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Ulrich T Seyfert
2   The Department of Hemostaseology and Transfusion Medicine, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Wolfgang Treib
1   The Department of Neurology, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Markus T Grauer
1   The Department of Neurology, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Friedel Jung
2   The Department of Hemostaseology and Transfusion Medicine, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Ernst Wenzel
2   The Department of Hemostaseology and Transfusion Medicine, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Klaus Schimrigk
1   The Department of Neurology, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 24 May 1995

Accepted after resubmission 12 September 1995

Publication Date:
10 July 2018 (online)

Zoom Image

Summary

The plasma clearance of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) depends on the initial molecular weight and the degree of substitution. So far, little attention has been paid to the clinical relevance of the C2/C6 substitution ratio of hydroxyethyl starch.

10 patients with cerebrovascular circulatory disturbance received hemodilution therapy for 10 days, consisting of 10% HES 200/0.5 (mean molecular weight 200 kD, degree of substitution 0.5) with a C2/C6 ratio of 13.4. A second group of 10 patients received a starch solution with identical initial molecular weight and degree of substitution but with a C2/C6 ratio of 5.7.

After the administration of a single dose, no significant differences between the two groups were observed. After repeated administration, significant differences could be detected in hemorheology, coagulation and elimination (p<0.01). The larger C2/C6 ratio led to a higher intravascular mean molecular weight (95 vs. 84 kD), which in turn led to a higher increase in serum concentration during the therapy (14.7 vs.8.6 mg/ml). Hematocrit was lowered more (-30,5 vs. -23,5%) and plasma viscosity was increased more. There was also a more pronounced increase in partial thromboplastin time (+30% vs. +13%) and a factor of 2 larger decrease of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor-complex (p <0.01), which exceeded the dilution effect.

The higher C2/C6 ratio of HES 200/0.5/13.4 slows down enzymatic degradation. After repeated administration of this starch, large molecules accumulate which are inefficiently degraded. The same effect has been observed after therapy with highly-substituted HES. This accumulation of large molecules leads to a beneficial longer lasting volume effect. The disadvantages include an increase in plasma viscosity and coagulation disturbances, which cannot be explained with the respective dilution effect alone. For these reasons, the C2/C6 ratio is of clinical relevance and should be included in the product labeling in the future.