Effects of pentafraction administration on microvascular permeability alterations induced by graded thermal injury.
BACKGROUND
Pentafraction is a pentastarch derivative hypothesized to limit burn edema by "sealing" damaged capillaries, restoring a barrier to fluid translocation and macromolecular (protein) flux.


METHODS
Canine hind paw lymph flow (QL) and lymph (CL) and plasma (CP) protein concentrations were measured before and for 6 hours after (1) 5-second 100 degrees C (n = 6) or 80 degrees C (n = 6) foot paw scald, (2) 100 degrees C (n = 5) or 80 degrees C (n = 5) foot paw scald followed 30 minutes later by a 4 cc/kg bolus of 6% pentafraction, or (3) pentafraction infusion without scald (n = 5). Before scald or pentafraction infusion, hind paw venous pressure was elevated and maintained by outflow restriction until a steady state, minimal CL/CP was reached. The reflection coefficient, sigma d, was determined as 1-CL/CP, and the (fluid) filtration coefficient (Kf) was calculated.


RESULTS
Scalding uniformly produced statistical (p < 0.05, ANOVA) increases in QL, CL/CP, sigma d, Kf, and paw weight gain. Postburn pentafraction infusion produced no enduring alterations in any measured parameter as compared with those of animals who received a matched severity scald without pentafraction.


CONCLUSIONS
Pentafraction does not appreciably ameliorate the adverse microcirculatory consequences observed at the site of burn injury.
Ferrara
J J
JJ
Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112.
Dyess
D L
DL
Collins
J N
JN
Fish
J M
JM
Ardell
J L
JL
Townsley
M I
MI
Taylor
A E
AE
Flint
L M
LM
D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D004285:Dogs; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000293:injuries; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D012016:Reference Values; D013696:Temperature
D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives