The effects of administration of a new, middle-molecular 10% hydroxyethyl
starch 200/0.5 (
HAES-steril) were compared to 10%
dextran 40 (
Rheomacrodex) in 20 hypovolaemic volunteers after withdrawal of 400 ml blood. The total increase of blood volume after 500 ml of 10% hydroxyethyl
starch 200/0.5 was 10.19 +/- 1.1 ml/kg (754 ml), after 500 ml of 10%
dextran 40 14.10 +/- 1.1 ml/kg (1032 ml), which was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) and in correspondence with the known volume expanding properties of 10%
dextran 40. The volume effect after administration of both substances was stable, as demonstrated by the ability to compensate the loss of 400 ml blood for more than 8 hours. The maximal increase of the
colloid osmotoc pressure after 10% hydroxyethyl
starch 200/0.5 was 5.3 +/- 0.2 mm Hg, after 10%
dextran 40 7.2 +/- 0.4 mm Hg and paralleled the increase of the blood volume. After 10% hydroxyethyl
starch 200/0.5 an increase of serum
amylase was observed. This
hyperamylasemia is caused by the formation of a high molecular hydroxyethyl
starch-
amylase complex, which cannot be eliminated easily. Urinary volume and endogenous
creatinine clearance were increased by administration of both
colloids. After
dextran 40 a pronounced increase of the urinary viscosity occurred.