Description:
INTRODUCTIONSynthetic plasma expanders have been investigated for treatment of Hypovolemic Shock. None have proven to be more beneficial than another or as effective as whole blood. Hyperosmotic hyperviscous Keratose is proposed as a possible plasma expander. This type of compound potentiates the release of strong vasodilators and induces net intravascular transport of water, increasing circulating volume. This results in peripheral vasodilation and increased cardiac contractility which translates into lower cardiac work and better tissue perfusion. The null hypothesis was tested that a Keratose resuscitation fluid (KRF) would not induce more arteriolar vasodilation than a current plasma expander, Hetastarch (HS).METHODSA topload of KRF, HS, or PBS was infused into euvolemic rats. Changes in arteriolar diameters were measured using intravital microscopy (Fig 1).RESULTSANOVA showed significant differences (p <0.05) between the three treatments. Post‐hoc comparisons showed: KRF induced greater vasodilation than PBS or HS. HS vasodilatilatory effects were not significant compared to PBS (Fig 2).DISCUSSIONKRF induced significant vasodilation in muscle microvasculature compared to HS or PBS. The use of KRF in a hemorrhage model could improve functional capillary density, a reliable index of tissue perfusion highly correlated with survival in severe hemorrhagic shock.