Retarded Elimination of a High-Molecular Enzyme-Substrate-Complex after Hydroxyethyl-Starch-Infusion

During a pharmacokinetic study with hydroxyethyl starch we found, that this plasma substitute induces a regular increase of serum amylase. In 54 patients after infusion of 500 ml 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) an increase of serum amylase was observed, which in 51 cases exceeded the upper limit of normal (190 U/l). In most cases serum amylase reached values twice as high as the basal value. Renal function influenced duration of increased serum amylase values, but did not influence maximum increases (201 ±15 U/l; mean ± SEM). In patients with advanced renal failure (GFR = 2–10 ml/min) serum amylase was still markedly elevated after 72 hours (298 ± U/l; mean ± SEM). In patients with normal rena…