A narrow range, medium molecular weight pentastarch reduces structural organ damage in a hyperdynamic porcine model of sepsis.

OBJECTIVE

to compare diafiltered 6% pentastarch (Pentafraction--PDP, MWn 120,000 and MWw 280,000) and native pentastarch (Pentaspan--PSP, MWn 63,000 and MWw 264,000 dalton) in a porcine model of faecal peritonitis.

DESIGN

Randomised prospective study in 12 adolescent pigs.

INTERVENTIONS

Prior to infection the study solution was infused to increase Qt by 25%. Thereafter adjustments in infusion rate were made (up to 1 l/h) in an attempt to maintain Qt at 25% above baseline values.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Animals were sacrificed at 8 h. Tissue was excised from the right lobe of liver and from the right lung and fixed for later electron microscopy and digital morphometric analysis. Patent sinusoidal lumen was significantly greater in group PDP compared to PSP (11.3% +/- 2.3% of liver tissue versus 4.8% +/- 1.1%, p < 0.05) and this was accounted for by a significantly lower proportion of sinusoidal lumen occluded with white cells (2.1% +/- 0.6% versus 6.6% +/- 1.9%, p < 0.05). Similarly, patent capillary represented a significantly higher proportion of lung tissue for group PDP versus PSP (26.2% +/- 1.9% versus 18.5% +/- 2.7%, p < 0.05). The arithmetic mean alveolar capillary barrier thickness was significantly greater in group PSP than in group PDP (4.3 +/- 0.3 microns versus 2.5 +/- 0.3 microns, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The molecular weight profile of Pentafraction was associated with less structural organ damage including less tissue oedema and less white cell occlusion.