Cardiovascular research
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Cardiovascular research · Feb 2007
Comparative StudyThe endothelial glycocalyx affords compatibility of Starling's principle and high cardiac interstitial albumin levels.
To test the role of an oncotic pressure gradient across the endothelial glycocalyx with respect to extravasation of fluid and colloids and development of tissue edema in a whole organ setting. ⋯ We propose a low-filtration model for the coronary system with different barrier properties in arteriolar/capillary and venular sections. Arteriolar/capillary: very little fluid and colloid extravasation due to the endothelial surface layer formed by the glycocalyx and albumin plus the endothelial strand barrier; venular: little net extravsation of fluid and colloids despite large pores, because of low hydrostatic and oncotic pressure differences between intra- and extravascular spaces. The latter sites provide physiological access of large solutes (colloids) to the tissue.