Isovolemic hemodilution with dextran prevents contrast medium induced impairment of pancreatic microcirculation in necrotizing pancreatitis of the rat

Background Previous studies demonstrated that intravenous contrast medium (CM), as used in contrast enhanced computed tomography, aggravates the impairment of pancreatic microcirculation (PM) characteristic of severe pancreatitis and increases necrosis and mortality in necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) in rats. This study evaluates the use of isovolemic hemodilution, which can enhance the microcirculation in severe pancreatitis, for preventing CM-induced injury. Methods NP was induced in 30 dextran-tolerant Wistar rats by intraductal glycodeoxycholic acid and intravenous cerulein for 6 hours. PM was quantified by intravital microscopy using fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled erythrocytes. Based on previous results, areas with low blood flow (<1.6 nL/min/cap) were identified and baseline recordings of capillary blood flow taken. A reduction of hematocrit to 75% of baseline was achieved by replacement of 5 mL/kg of blood with 25 mL/kg Ringerʹs lactate (RL) or by exchange of 8 mL/kg of blood for the same amount of dextran 70 6%. Thereafter, the nonionic CM iopamidol (Solutrast, Byk Gulden, Konstanz, Germany) was injected during 1 minute and PM measurements repeated after 30 and 60 minutes. Results Despite hemodilution with RL, pancreatic capillary perfusion was significantly decreased to 87% of baseline (0.83 ± 0.04 nL/min/cap; n = 216) 60 minutes after CM infusion (P<0.05). In contrast, capillary blood flow was significantly increased to 161% (1.56 ±0.05 nL/min/cap; n = 278) in the group treated with dextran. Moreover, the percentage of capillaries developing complete stasis was significantly lower in the dextran group (2.3 ± 1.2%) compared to animals diluted with RL (22.3 ±4.8%) (P<0.002). Conclusion Isovolemic hemodilution with dextran prevents the additional impairment of pancreatic microcirculation induced by CM in NP.