Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130/ 0.4, 60 g/L) in resuscitation during shock stage of burns.
Methods: Sixty-six burn patients who were admitted to hospital within 2 hours after burn injury requiring fluid resuscitation were enrolled into this study, and they were randomized into HES( n = 33, with HES as a component of fluid resuscitation) and plasma (P, n = 33, with plasma as a component of fluid resuscitation) groups. HES or plasma was given as colloid within 48 postburn hours (PBH), and only albumin [( 111 +/- 4) , ( 105 +/- 5 ) g for each group] were given to the patients during 3 to 7 postburn days (PBD). Heart rate, blood pressure, central venous pressure (CVP) , urine output per hour were measured, gain/loss of body fluid during the first and second 24 PBH were recorded, serum total protein, albumin, hemoglobin( Hb) , prothrombin time (PT) , fibrinogen; platelet ( PLT) , as well as liver and renal function, allergy and bleeding tendency were determined and observed at corresponding time-points.
Results: There were no obvious differences in heart rate, blood pressure, CVP and urine output per hour within 24 PBH between the two groups (P > 0.05). Also there was no difference in gain/loss of body fluid during the first and second 24 PBH. The content of hemoglobin on 1 ,3, 7,14 PBD ,and the PT, the content of fibrinogen, the number of PLT on 1,3,14 PBD also exhibited no difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The serum contents of total protein and albumin in HES group were [(31 +/- 3) g/L, (30 +/- 3)g/L ] on 1 PBD, and [(20.4 +/- 3.6) g/L, (18.4 +/-2.3) g/L] on 3 PBD, which were obviously lower than those in P group [(45 +/- 4) g/L, (39 +/- 3) g/L on 1 PBD, and 1 (24.5 +/- 4.3) g/L, (21.3 +/- 3.9) g/L) on 3 PBD, (P <0. 01). Though the serum content of albumin on 7 PBD was similar in the two groups (P > 0.05), the serum total protein in HES group (40 +/- 4) g/L was markedly lower than that in P group [(45 +/- 4) g/L, P < 0.01] . Within 7 PBD, no abnormal bleeding was found in the two groups, and the liver function and renal function were similar. There were 4 cases showing allergic reaction in plasma group while none in HES group.
Conclusion: New type of HES can partially substitute plasma and be used in fluid resuscitation for burn patients. However, plasma protein replenishment should still be emphasized.