title: The effect of hydroxyethyl starch on platelet aggregation in vitro.
abstract: The effect of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on hemostasis seems to be minimal when it is used in recommended amounts. A number of studies have investigated the effect of HES on platelet function when administered in vivo, but there has been no study investigating the effect on the isolated platelet function when administered in vitro. A photometrical method to assess platelet function in platelet-rich plasma (approximately 250 x 10(9) platelets/L) was used with platelet aggregation induced using either collagen, epinephrine, adenosine diphosphate, or ristocetin. We found a dose-dependent decrease of platelet aggregation in vitro with either collagen or epinephrine, but not with adenosine diphosphate or ristocetin. However, the changes of HES on platelet aggregation were detected only in doses larger than those routinely used in the clinical setting. Therefore, we conclude that the influence of HES at the recommended doses on initial platelet aggregation may not be clinically relevant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effect of hydroxyethyl starch on platelet function and coagulation is discussed. This study showed no influence on platelets in clinically relevant doses in an in vitro model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and General Intensive Care, University of Vienna, Austria. alex.blaicher@univie.ac.at
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Blaicher
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Blaicher
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kettner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Felfernig
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Grabner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zimpfer
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010783:Photometry; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010976:Platelet Count; D012310:Ristocetin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D010952:Plasma Substitutes; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D012310:Ristocetin; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D003094:Collagen; D004837:Epinephrine