OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130/ 0.4, 60 g/L) in resuscitation during shock stage of burns.

METHODSSixty-six burn patients who were admitted to hospital within 2 hours after burn injury requiring fluid resuscitation were enrolled into this study, and they were randomized into HES( n = 33, with HES as a component of fluid resuscitation) and plasma (P, n = 33, with plasma as a component of fluid resuscitation) groups. HES or plasma was given as colloid within 48 postburn hours (PBH), and only albumin [( 111 +/- 4) , ( 105 +/- 5 ) g for each group] were given to the patients during 3 to 7 postburn days (PBD). Heart rate, blood pressure, central venous pressure (CVP) , urine output per hour were measured, gain/loss of body fluid during the first and second 24 PBH were recorded, serum total protein, albumin, hemoglobin( Hb) , prothrombin time (PT) , fibrinogen; platelet ( PLT) , as well as liver and renal function, allergy and bleeding tendency were determined and observed at corresponding time-points.

RESULTSThere were no obvious differences in heart rate, blood pressure, CVP and urine output per hour within 24 PBH between the two groups (P > 0.05). Also there was no difference in gain/loss of body fluid during the first and second 24 PBH. The content of hemoglobin on 1 ,3, 7,14 PBD ,and the PT, the content of fibrinogen, the number of PLT on 1,3,14 PBD also exhibited no difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The serum contents of total protein and albumin in HES group were [(31 +/- 3) g/L, (30 +/- 3)g/L ] on 1 PBD, and [(20.4 +/- 3.6) g/L, (18.4 +/-2.3) g/L] on 3 PBD, which were obviously lower than those in P group [(45 +/- 4) g/L, (39 +/- 3) g/L on 1 PBD, and 1 (24.5 +/- 4.3) g/L, (21.3 +/- 3.9) g/L) on 3 PBD, (P <0. 01). Though the serum content of albumin on 7 PBD was similar in the two groups (P > 0.05), the serum total protein in HES group (40 +/- 4) g/L was markedly lower than that in P group [(45 +/- 4) g/L, P < 0.01] . Within 7 PBD, no abnormal bleeding was found in the two groups, and the liver function and renal function were similar. There were 4 cases showing allergic reaction in plasma group while none in HES group.

CONCLUSIONNew type of HES can partially substitute plasma and be used in fluid resuscitation for burn patients. However, plasma protein replenishment should still be emphasized.