Comparison of the novel hydroxyethylstarch 130/0.4 and hydroxyethylstarch 200/0.6 in brain-dead donor resuscitation on renal function after transplantation

Background. The renal effect of hydroxyethylstarch (HES) solutions remains controversial. We hypothesized that the use of HES with a mean molecular weight of 130 kDa would reduce renal dysfunctions in the recipients. Our study was aimed at comparing the effects of two fluid regimens (HES 130/0.4 or HES 200/0.6) used for the resuscitation of brain-dead donors on the rate of delayed graft function (DGF) and the serum creatinine levels post-transplantation. Methods. This retrospective matched-paired study was conducted in an intensive care unit of a university hospital. Case-controls were matched at the donor patient level as follows: gender, BMI, duration of ICU stay, serum creatinine levels, vasopressor, and volume of colloids. The organ donation from 64 brain-dead donors resulted in 115 transplants. Results. The renal function was similar among all donors. The characteristics of the recipients, including the cold ischaemia time, were similar. The rate of DGF was 22% in the donors treated with HES 130/0.4, compared with 33% in those treated with HES 200/0.6 ( P = 0.27). The serum creatinine levels at 1 month were 133 ( 38) mu mol litre 21 when the donors had been treated with HES 130/0.4 and 172 ( 83) mmol litre 21 when they were treated with HES 200/0.6 ( P = 0.005). A difference was found 1 yr after transplantation [128 (36) vs147 (43) mmol litre 21, P = 0.05]. Conclusions. Using a modern, third-generation, rapidly degradable HES preparation with a low degree of substitution seems to be associated with a better effect on the renal function of recipients.