title: The effect of colloid formulation on colloid osmotic pressure in horses with naturally occurring gastrointestinal disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Naturally occurring gastrointestinal disease is an important cause of acute hypoproteinemia in adult horses and hydroxyethyl starch colloid fluid treatment is a component of supportive care in these cases to improve plasma volume and maintain colloid osmotic pressure (COP). The objectives of the present study were to compare 2 formulations of high molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch and their relative effect on COP, acid-base status, and survival of horses with acute hypoproteinemia secondary to gastrointestinal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty adult horses, ≥ 1 year of age, were prospectively enrolled, with informed client consent, if they developed acute hypoproteinemia, defined as a plasma total protein <5.0 g/dL or albumin <2.2 g/dL during hospitalization while undergoing treatment for gastrointestinal disease. Horses were randomly assigned to receive a rapid infusion of either 6% hydroxyethyl starch in 0.9% saline or 6% hydroxyethyl starch in lactated ringers solution at a dose of 10 ml/kg. Venous blood gas analysis, COP, and PCV were evaluated before and after colloid administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For both groups, average COP prior to treatment was 11.0 mmHg (9.7 - 12.2 mmHg) and post colloid treatment was 13.2 mmHg (12.0 -14.7 mmHg) [Normal range 18 - 22 mmHg]. COP was significantly increased with colloid treatment (p<0.001) but this increase was not significantly different between treatment groups. Venous pH did not change significantly with treatment. Twelve horses survived to hospital discharge and survival did not differ significantly between treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-treatment COP improved approximately 20% regardless of the formulation used, however, values did not reach the normal range of COP observed in healthy horses. Acid-base parameters were not significantly impacted by either treatment. Further study is needed to determine how these two products compare with regards to other outcome measures. Evaluation of the relative effects of colloid formulation in horses with clinical disease is a future area of interest.
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellezzo
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuhnmuench
authors.forename: Eileen S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Hackett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006736:Horses; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009997:Osmotic Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate