title: Plasma hyaluronan and hemorheology in patients with septic shock: a clinical and experimental study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Total plasma hyaluronan concentration is increased in septic shock. High-molecular-weight hyaluronan has a high intrinsic viscosity. Excessive release of high-molecular-weight hyaluronan in sepsis may induce hyperviscosity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma viscosity and the molecular size of plasma hyaluronan were determined in 20 patients with septic shock and in 20 healthy controls. Ex vivo, the effects of 0.4% and 0.047% high-molecular-weight hyaluronan 1560 kDa, 0.9% saline, and 6% hydroxy-ethyl-starch 130 kDa were compared to plasma and whole blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation at a systemic hematocrit of 0.4, and at a microcirculatory hematocrit of 0.2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma viscosity and total plasma protein content were low in septic shock patients on days one and four of treatment. Hyaluronan concentration was 10-fold higher in sepsis on day 1. Molecular weight of hyaluronan was relatively low, mostly 50-500 kDa, and did not change significantly in sepsis. Ex vivo, 0.4% high-molecular-weight hyaluronan 1560 kDa increased blood viscosity but did not promote red blood cell aggregation. Dilutions of 6% hydroxyl-ethyl-starch 130 kDa and 0.047% high-molecular-weight hyaluronan 1560 kDa had comparable effects on blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma viscosity of the septic patients remained low for four days despite markedly elevated concentration of relatively small-molecular-weight hyaluronan.
authors: Department of Surgery, Intensive Care Units, Division of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Marko
authors: M
authors: Sallisalmi
authors: Critical Care Medicine Research Group, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland Department of Surgical Sciences, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Jyrki
authors: J
authors: Tenhunen
authors: Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Anatomy, Kuopio, Finland.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Kultti
authors: Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Anatomy, Kuopio, Finland.
authors: Markku
authors: M
authors: Tammi
authors: Department of Surgery, Intensive Care Units, Division of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Ville
authors: V
authors: Pettilä
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation; D005260:Female; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: High-molecular-weight hyaluronan; aggregation; intensive care; rheology; viscosity