[Effects of hydroxyethyl-starch on hemorheology in patients with chronic liver disease].

Objective: To investigate the effects of hemodilution with hydroxyethyl-starch (HES) on hemorheology in patients with chronic liver diseases in vitro.

Methods: Twenty-one healthy volunteers were selected as the control group and 21 patients with chronic liver disease as the study group. Both of the two groups were divided into HSE (n=11) and Ringer's solution (n=10) groups. Venous blood of 12 ml were collected from each subject and aliquoted into 4 samples, one of the 4 samples served as control (sample 1), and the other 3 (samples 2, 3, 4 respectively) were diluted with 6%; HES or Ringer's solution to cause the hematocrit (Hct) decrease to 30%;, 25%; or 20%;. The rheological parameters including Hct, blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, index of red blood cell aggregation (ARBC) and index of red blood cell rigidity (RRBC) were examined.

Results: The Hct of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05), but plasma viscosity and ARBC were significantly higher. After being diluted by HES, the blood viscosity and ARBC decreased significantly in the study group (P<0.05), and were not significantly different from those of the control group (P>0.05) when Hct=25%; and 20%;. The RRBC of the study group was increased, but the increment was significantly higher than that of control group (P>0.05) only when Hct=20%;.

Conclusion: The ARBC of patients with chronic liver diseases was significantly higher. Hemodilution with 6%; HES could significantly reduce the blood viscosity and ARBC.