Tissue deposits of hydroxyethyl starch (HES): dose-dependent and time-related

Tissue deposits occur after administration of plasma substitutes. After hyd roxyethyl starch (HES), deposits may last for months, causing pruritus and impairment of function. Because elimination of HES deposits has not been de monstrated in humans, we studied 26 patients, for up to 7 yr after HES admi nistration, to assess HES storage. HES dose ranged from 0.34 to 15.00 g kg( -1) body weight, and administration intervals from 1 day to 7 yr. Biopsies of the liver, muscle, spleen, intestine or skin were studied using light an d electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. HES storage was dose-depend ent, decreased in all organs with time and was greater in patients sufferin g from pruritus. We conclude that tissue deposition of HES is transitory an d dose-dependent, with differences between subjects in severity and duratio n.