Effects of pentafraction administration on microvascular permeability alterations induced by graded thermal injury.

Abstract

Pentafraction is a pentastarch derivative hypothesized to limit burn edema by "sealing" damaged capillaries, restoring a barrier to fluid translocation and macromolecular (protein) flux. 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. 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. Pentafraction does not appreciably ameliorate the adverse microcirculatory consequences observed at the site of burn injury.