Endothelial glycocalyx layer shedding following lung resection.

AIM: We investigated if the serum biomarkers of endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL) disruption, heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and syndecan-1 (SDC1) were elevated following lung resection surgery.

METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from 16 patients undergoing lobectomy for primary lung cancer. HSPG and SDC1 were measured at five perioperative timepoints. Postoperative oxygenation was recorded.

RESULTS: Post-hoc pair wise comparisons showed SDC1 concentration was significantly elevated on postoperative day 2, p < 0.001. There was no relationship found between HSPG or SDC1 levels and postoperative oxygenation.

CONCLUSION: Our pilot study is the first to provide evidence of EGL disruption following lung resection surgery. We hypothesize that EGL disruption is involved in the pathogenesis of post-lung resection acute lung injury. Abstract presentation: This work was presented in a part at the Anaesthetic Research Society Spring Meeting, Royal College of Anaesthetists, London, UK, 22 April 2015.