Efficacy and safety of 10% HES 130/0.4 versus 10% HES 200/0.5 for plasma volume expansion in cardiac surgery patients

AIM

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions are frequently used for perioperative volume replacement. Whereas older HES specimen tended to accumulate in the plasma and to cause negative effects on hemostasis, more recent products, e.g., HES 130/0.4, are characterised by improved pharmacological properties. The present study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of 10% HES 130/0.4 and 10% HES 200/0.5.

METHODS

In this post-hoc analysis of a prospective, randomised, double-blind, multi-center therapeutic equivalence trial, 76 patients undergoing elective on-pump cardiac surgery received perioperative volume replacement using either 10% HES 130/0.4 (N.=37) or 10% HES 200/0.5 (N.=39) up to a maximum dose of 20 mL kg-1.

RESULTS

Equivalent volumes of investigational medication were infused until 24 hours after the first administration (1577 vs. 1540 mL; treatment difference 37 [-150; 223] mL; P<0.0001 for equivalence). Whereas standard laboratory tests of coagulation were comparable between groups, von Willebrand factor activity on the first postoperative morning tended to be higher following treatment with 10% HES 130/0.4 as compared to 10% HES 200/0.5 (P=0.025) with this difference being statistically significant only in the per-protocol analysis (P=0.02). Treatment groups were comparable concerning other safety parameters and the incidence of adverse drug reactions. In particular, renal function was well preserved in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Ten percent HES 130/0.4 was equally effective and safe as compared to 10% HES 200/0.5 for volume therapy in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Postoperative coagulation and renal function, as measured by standard laboratory tests, were similar among groups.

Volume Replacement Therapy during Major Orthopedic Surgery Using Voluven® (Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4) or Hetastarch

Background

The purpose of this study was to test the equivalence of efficacy and compare the safety of the 6% hydroxyethyl starches (HES) Voluven (HES 130/0.4; Fresenius Kabi, Bad Homburg, Germany) and hetastarch (HES 670/0.75 in saline) for intravascular volume replacement therapy during major orthopedic surgery.

Methods

In a prospective, controlled, randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial of patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery, 49 patients were treated with HES 130/0.4 and 51 patients were treated with hetastarch. Infusion of colloids was guided by central venous and arterial blood pressures. The primary efficacy endpoint was the volume of colloid solution infused; the primary safety endpoints were calculated total erythrocyte loss, the nadir factor VIII activity, and the nadir von Willebrand factor concentration within 2 h of completion of surgery.

Results

The total volume of colloid solution required for intraoperative volume replacement did not differ between HES 130/0.4 and hetastarch (1,613+/-778 [SD] ml for HES 130/0.4 and 1,584+/-958 ml for hetastarch). The nadir factor VIII activity within 2 h of the end of surgery was lower for hetastarch than for HES 130/0.4 (P=0.0499); for those who received greater than 1,000 ml colloid, the nadir factor VIII activity and von Willebrand factor concentration within 2 h of end of surgery were lower for hetastarch than for HES 130/0.4 (P=0.0487 and P=0.008, respectively).

Conclusion

Voluven (HES 130/0.4) and hetastarch are equally efficacious plasma volume substitutes; however, HES 130/0.4 has a lesser effect on coagulation.

Hemodilution Therapy With Hydroxyethyl Starch Solution (130/0.4) in Unilateral Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

OBJECTIVE

Obtain and analyze first data on hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130/0.4) as monotherapy in acute idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

DESIGN

Randomized, double-blind, Phase-II, dose-finding study.

SETTING

Twenty-five ENT centers in Germany, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Austria.

PATIENTS

Two hundred and ten inpatients with first-time ISSNHL of at least 20 dB at two or more frequencies and 95 dB or less at all of the speech frequencies (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 kHz) with respect to the other (normal) ear for up to 7 days (d).

INTERVENTION

Infusion of 750 mL/d with 45 (Group H), 30 (Group M), or 15 g/d HES (Group L), or glucose 5% (Group G) acting as "placebo" control during 6 days. MAIN ENDPOINT: Gain in average auditory threshold (in dB) from baseline to Day 7. RESULTS (MEDIANS): Average hearing loss at baseline was 24 dB, and infusions started 2 days after ISSNHL onset. No relevant group difference was observed in hearing gain or adverse treatment events, including pruritus. Half of all patients recovered completely by Day 7. SECONDARY ANALYSIS: In patients who started treatment within 2 days after the onset of symptoms and who had systolic blood'pressure (RRsyst) of less than 140 mm Hg, hearing at Day 90 had improved in all 28 cases under glucose 5%; for those who started treatment later and/or had RRsyst of 140 mm Hg or more, the risk for failing to recover under placebo was 29.2% (7/24). Comparing all 118 (51.9%) of 208 patients at such risk, outcome at Day 7 was markedly better in all HES subgroups than in the G'subgroup'(nH:nM:nL:nG = 32:29:32:24, Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.0221).

CONCLUSION

All treatment groups were equivalent, including adverse treatment events. The secondary analysis showed that ISSNHL patients at risk for not improving under placebo (i.e., patients who started treatment more than 48 h after ISSNHL onset and/or with elevated RRsyst) recovered markedly better under infusions of HES 130/0.4.

Influence of a Long-Term, High-Dose Volume Therapy with 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 or Crystalloid Solution on Hemodynamics, Rheology and Hemostasis in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

This study was performed to investigate the clinical effects of a 4-day volume therapy with a newly developed, 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 versus crystalloid solution, with particular regard to systemic and cerebral hemodynamics, rheology and safety.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind study, 40 patients suffering from an acute ischemic stroke received either 6% HES 130/0.4 or crystalloid solution as continuous infusion over 4 days with a total dose of 6.5 liters. Efficacy parameters studied included hemodynamics (cardiac output, blood pressure, flow velocity with transcranial Doppler) and rheology (hematocrit and plasma viscosity). Safety parameters examined included laboratory, hemostaseology (including factor VIII) and an adverse event questionnaire (including pruritus).

RESULTS

In both groups, a small, but not significant increase in cardiac output was observed. There were no significant changes regarding the remaining efficacy or safety parameters, except for the well-known increase in serum alpha-amylase through the infusion of HES.

CONCLUSION

In our study with patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke, continuous infusion (1 ml/min) of HES 130/0.4 or crystalloid solution did not differ regarding safety or hemodynamic efficacy.

Tissue storage of 14C-labelled hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 and HES 200/0.5 after repeated intravenous administration to rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of the molar substitution of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions on tissue and organ storage in rats after repeated administration.

STUDY DESIGN

A controlled, multiple-dose study was performed in 48 rats. Daily bolus injections of 0.7 g/kg of 10% HES 130/0.4 or 10% HES 200/0.5 were administered on 18 consecutive days. In order to examine quantitatively the distribution and excretion of both preparations on HES tissue storage, radiolabelled HES was measured 3, 10, 24 and 52 days after the last administration. Tissue storage was expressed as percentage radioactivity of total administered HES dose in the total body, carcass, liver, kidney, spleen, lymph nodes, plasma and urine.

RESULTS

52 days after the last administration the remaining radioactivity of labelled HES 200/0.5 was nearly 4-fold higher compared with HES 130/0.4 in the total body (2.45% vs 0.65% of the total administered dose). This difference in tissue storage was statistically significant (p < or = 0.01). A comparable difference was observed for the liver and carcass.

CONCLUSION

Tissue storage after repeated administration of an HES solution with a low molar substitution (0.4) was significantly lower in the total body as well as in the liver and carcass compared with an HES solution with a medium molar substitution (0.5). However, the potential clinical consequences of these present findings have not yet been determined.

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) [130/0.4], a new HES specification: pharmacokinetics and safety after multiple infusions of 10% solution in healthy volunteers

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pharmacokinetics and safety of a daily infusion of 500 mL of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) [130/0.4] 10% solution on 10 consecutive days.

STUDY DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

An open, one-way, multiple-dose study was performed in 12 healthy male volunteers. Daily infusions over 30 minutes of 500 mL of HES (130/0.4) 10% solution were performed on 10 consecutive days. Plasma and urine HES concentrations were determined repeatedly during the study until 72 hours after the last infusion.

RESULTS

Maximum plasma HES concentrations, assessed with geometric means of 7.7 and 7.4 mg/mL, respectively, as well as the time courses of the plasma concentrations were similar on days 1 and 10 of treatment. Plasma HES concentrations 24 hours after the last infusion were 0.48 mg/mL (mean). Total plasma clearance was calculated as 23.7 and 21.8 mL/min on days 1 and 10, respectively. Urinary recoveries of 69% on day 1 and of 70% on day 10 were in good agreement.

CONCLUSION

The results clearly demonstrated that there is no relevant accumulation in plasma after repetitive infusion of the medium-molecular weight HES (130/0.4) solution, which exhibits a high renal excretion rate over 10 days. Local as well as systemic tolerability of 10 repeated doses was good.

Volume Efficacy and Reduced Influence on Measures of Coagulation Using Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 (6%) with an Optimised in???Vivo???Molecular Weight in Orthopaedic Surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Different types of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) affect blood coagulation differently. We studied the effects of HES 130/0.4 on coagulation in major orthopaedic surgery in relation to the pharmacological parameter in vivo molecular weight.

METHODS

52 patients were randomly allocated to either HES 130/0.4 (6%, mean molecular weight 130 kDa, molar substitution 0.4) or HES 200/0.5 (6%, control) in a double-blind fashion. Colloidal volume requirements for intra- and postoperative haemodynamic stabilisation were compared. Safety analyses of this pharmacological study included a comparison of coagulation factor tests, in vivo molecular weight, and HES plasma concentrations.

RESULTS

The colloidal volumes given were similar at the end of surgery (1602 +/- 569 for HES 130/0.4 vs 1635 +/- 567mL for HES 200/0.5), 5h later (1958 +/- 467 vs 1962 +/- 398mL), and up to the first postoperative day (2035 +/- 446 vs 2000 +/- 424mL). HES in vivo molecular weight at the end of surgery was 88,707 +/- 13,938 versus 158,374 +/- 33,933Da (p < 0.001) and 5h later was 86,663 +/- 16,126 versus 136,299 +/- 26,208Da (p < 0.001). In parallel to the lower in vivo molecular weight, factor VIII and von Willebrand factor returned to almost normal in the HES 130/0.4 group up to 5h postoperatively, but not in the control group (p < 0.05). Residual HES plasma concentrations after 24h were low in the HES 130/0.4 group (1.0 mg/mL), but higher in the control group (2.6 mg/mL).

CONCLUSION

HES 130/0.4 and HES 200/0.5 were found to be similar with regard to volume efficacy. Sensitive coagulation parameters returned more rapidly to normal in the HES 130/0.4 group. Lower in vivo molecular weight and more rapid excretion of HES 130/0.4 are the likely explanations for the smaller influence on coagulation in this group.

Plasma substitution effects of a new hydroxyethyl starch HES 130/0.4 compared with HES 200/0.5 during and after extended acute normovolaemic haemodilution

BACKGROUND

The volume expansion effect of a recently introduced hydroxyethyl starch, HES 130/0.4, was compared with the commonly used HES 200/0.5 after rapid infusion of a single large dose (up to 2 litres) administered during acute normovolaemic haemodilution (ANH).

METHODS

This prospective, randomized, double-blind study included 40 patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery with no contraindication to ANH. Patients were randomized to undergo ANH with either HES 130/0.4 (n=20) or HES 200/0.5 (n=20). Blood was collected to reach a target haemoglobin level of about 8.0 g dl(-1) and simultaneously replaced by the same volume of colloid (HES 130: 1825 [SD 245] ml; HES 200: 1925 [183] ml). Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac filling pressure, and cardiac output were measured before induction of anaesthesia (baseline), 10 min after completion of ANH, before surgery, at the end of surgery and on the following morning (postoperative day 1; POD1). ANH blood was systematically retransfused during surgery or before POD1.

RESULTS

Exchange of about 40% of blood volume resulted in similar haemodynamic changes in both groups. Filling pressures increased significantly, while cardiac index remained unchanged (HES 130: from 3.3 [0.4] to 3.2 [0.7] litre min(-1) m(-2); HES 200: from 3.0 [0.6] to 3.1 [0.7] litre min(-1) m(-2)). Need for crystalloids and colloids was similar between the groups during surgery and on POD1. Total blood loss (HES 130: median 2165 ml, range 660-2970 ml; HES 200: median 2464 ml, range 640-19 380 ml) and amount of allogeneic red blood cells transfused (HES 130: median 0, range 0-4 units; HES 200: median 0, range 0-18 units) were comparable in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a good immediate and medium-term plasma volume substitution effect of HES 130 compared with HES 200. HES 130 could represent a suitable synthetic colloid for plasma volume substitution during extensive ANH.

The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of an intravenous infusion of the new hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (6%, 500 mL) in mild-to-severe renal impairment

Hydroxyethyl starches (HES) are almost exclusively excreted glomerularly, in part after hydrolysis by amylase. HES 130/0.4 (Voluven; Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH, Bad Homburg, Germany) was developed to improve pharmacokinetics whereas preserving the efficacy of volume effect. We studied the dependency of pharmacokinetics of HES 130/0.4 on renal function. Nineteen volunteers with stable, non-anuric renal dysfunction, ranging from almost normal creatinine clearance (CL(cr)) to severe renal impairment (mean CL(cr): 50.6 mL. min(-1). 1.73 m(-2)), were given a single infusion of 500 mL 6% HES 130/0.4 over 30 min. HES plasma concentrations were determined until 72 h, urinary excretion until 72-96 h. CL(cr) had been obtained at least twice before and twice after dosing. Standard pharmacokinetic calculations and regression analysis were performed. Area under the time concentration curve (AUC(0-inf)) clearly depended on renal function comparing subjects with CL(cr) < 50 with those with CL(cr) > or =50 (ratio 1.73). Peak concentration (C(max), 4.34 mg/mL) as well as terminal half-life (16.1 h, model independent) were not affected by renal impairment. At CL(cr) > or =30, 59% of the drug could be retrieved in urine, versus 51% at CL(cr) 15-<30. The mean molecular weight of HES in plasma was 62,704 d at 30 min, showing lower values with increased renal impairment (P = 0.04). Pre-dose amylase concentrations inversely correlated with baseline CL(cr). Residual HES plasma concentrations after 24 h were small in all subjects (< or =0.6 mg/mL). We conclude that HES 130/0.4 (500 mL 6%) can be safely administered to patients even with severe renal impairment, as long as urine flow is preserved, without plasma accumulation.

IMPLICATIONS

Dependency of the pharmacokinetics of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 on renal function was studied. The area under the time concentration curve increased moderately with more severe renal dysfunction; however, small plasma concentrations were observed after 24 h. Terminal half-life and peak concentration remained unaffected by renal impairment.

A novel hydroxyethyl starch (Voluven) for effective perioperative plasma volume substitution in cardiac surgery

PURPOSE

To compare the new hydroxyethyl starch HES 130/0.4 (Voluven) and the standard HES 200/0.5 (pentastarch) regarding effectiveness for plasma volume substitution and safety of large volumes in heart surgery.

METHODS

Fifty-nine patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled in a prospective, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, multicentre, clinical, phase III study. Hydroxyethyl starch was used as the exclusive artificial colloid for acute normovolemic hemodilution, priming of the heart lung machine, and for intra- and postoperative plasma volume substitution from induction of anesthesia until 16 hr after the end of surgery. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing the amount of colloid infused, hemodynamics, and colloid osmotic pressure (COP). Safety endpoints were blood loss, the use of allogeneic blood products, coagulation variables, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Effectiveness, as assessed by the total amount of infused HES volumes within the treatment period, was similar between HES 130/0.4 and HES 200/0.5 (2,550 mL +/- 561 mL vs 2,466 mL +/- 516 mL). Also, no differences were found for the use of other colloids (pasteurised plasma), hemodynamics, and COP In HES 130/0.4 patients, the postoperative increase of von-Willebrand factor (vWF) was higher (P < 0.01), blood loss was lower, and less packed red blood cells were transfused.

CONCLUSION

Hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 is an effective plasma volume expander in heart surgery and may be used as the sole artificial colloid to cover the perioperative period. We found a reduced influence of HES 130/0.4 on the physiologic postoperative increase of vWF.

Effect of 5 alpha-dihydrocorticoids on enzymes of gluconeogenesis in rat liver

5 alpha-Dihydrocortisol (11 beta, 17, 21-trihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione), 5 alpha-dihydrocorticosterone (11 beta, 21-dihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione) as well as cortisol (11 beta, 17, 21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione) and corticosterone (11 beta, 21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione) were administered for seven days to male rats. Blood glucose increased in cortisol- and corticosterone-treated rats and blood insulin decreased after 5 alpha-dihydrocorticosteroid treatment. In the liver, total protein was elevated after cortisol, corticosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrocorticosterone application. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase activities in liver were significantly lowered after treatment with 5 alpha-dihydrocortisol and 5 alpha-dihydrocorticosterone.