Effects of colloid resuscitation on peripheral microcirculation, hemodynamics, and colloidal osmotic pressure during acute severe hemorrhage in rabbits

We examined the effects of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on the microcirculation, hemodynamics, and colloidal osmotic pressure in a rabbit model of hemorrhagic shock. A total of 40 rabbits was anesthetized with pentobarbital and isoflurane, and they were mechanically ventilated. An ear chamber was prepared to examine blood vessels by intravital microscopy. Shock was induced by removing nearly half of the circulating blood volume. Twenty rabbits received 20 mL of HES by intravenous infusion immediately after blood letting. Additional HES was then administered intravenously to a total volume of 100 mL. The other 20 rabbits (control) were intravenously given 40 mL of lactated Ringer's solution (LR), followed by additional LR to a total volume of 200 mL, administered under the same conditions as HES. After blood letting, arteriolar diameter decreased similarly in the the HES and LR groups (HES, 40.5% +/- 14.8% of the baseline value versus LR, 43.3% +/- 13.1%). After the completion of infusion, arteriolar diameter significantly recovered to 90.8% +/- 10.2% of the baseline value in the HES group as compared with only 62.6% +/- 10.7% in the LR group (P < 0.005). Recovery of arterial blood flow velocity and blood flow rate was also significantly better in the HES group than in the LR group (P < 0.005). Mean arteriolar pressure, central venous pressure, and plasma colloid osmotic pressure after the completion of infusion were significantly greater in the HES group than in the LR group (P < 0.005). We conclude that intravenous infusion of HES effectively maintains the microcirculation, hemodynamics, and colloidal osmotic pressure in a rabbit model of acute severe hemorrhage.