HYDROXYETHYL STARCH Meaning and
Definition
-
Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is a synthetic carbohydrate compound derived from starch that is chemically modified to contain hydroxyethyl groups. It is commonly used as a plasma volume expander in medical settings.
HES is a large polymer molecule that is administered intravenously to increase fluid volume in the blood. It functions by expanding the plasma volume and thereby improving blood circulation throughout the body. This makes it an effective treatment for hypovolemic shock caused by conditions such as severe bleeding, dehydration, or burns.
The hydroxyethyl groups added to the starch molecule enable it to resist degradation by enzymes in the body, leading to a longer duration of action compared to natural starch. HES has the ability to bind water molecules, thus increasing blood volume. It also helps to prevent blood clotting by reducing the concentration and viscosity of plasma proteins.
However, the use of HES has garnered some controversy in recent years. It has been associated with potential adverse effects such as kidney injury, allergic reactions, coagulation abnormalities, and increased mortality in certain patient populations. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to carefully evaluate the risks versus benefits of administering HES on an individual basis.
In summary, hydroxyethyl starch is a synthetic carbohydrate compound used to increase blood volume, improve circulation, and treat hypovolemic shock. However, its use should be approached with caution due to potential adverse effects.
Common Misspellings for HYDROXYETHYL STARCH
- gydroxyethyl starch
- bydroxyethyl starch
- nydroxyethyl starch
- jydroxyethyl starch
- uydroxyethyl starch
- yydroxyethyl starch
- htdroxyethyl starch
- hgdroxyethyl starch
- hhdroxyethyl starch
- hudroxyethyl starch
- h7droxyethyl starch
- h6droxyethyl starch
- hysroxyethyl starch
- hyxroxyethyl starch
- hycroxyethyl starch
- hyfroxyethyl starch
- hyrroxyethyl starch
- hyeroxyethyl starch
- hydeoxyethyl starch
- hyddoxyethyl starch
Etymology of HYDROXYETHYL STARCH
The word "Hydroxyethyl Starch" is a compound term that combines two main components: "hydroxyethyl" and "starch".
"Hydroxyethyl" is derived from two components: "hydroxy" and "ethyl".
"Hydroxy" originates from the Greek word "hydro" (meaning water) and the suffix "-xy" (indicating the presence of oxygen). It is used to refer to compounds containing a hydroxyl group (-OH), which is a specific functional group consisting of one oxygen atom bonded to one hydrogen atom. "Ethyl" comes from the chemical compound "ethane" and refers to an alkyl group containing two carbon atoms.
"Starch" has a different etymology and is derived from several sources.
The Middle English term "sterchen" comes from "sterc" (meaning stiff), which ultimately has Old Saxon and Old High German roots.
