Fig. 3

The luminal side of vascular endothelium is covered by a layer of mucopolysaccharide macromolecules of up to 1 μm thickness called endothelial surface layer or endothelial glycocalyx. This layer is the key determinant of vascular permeability. The integrity of the layer and thereby the potential for the development of interstitial edema, which varies substantially among organ systems, is often altered under inflammatory conditions when 0.9 % saline is prescribed, such as sepsis and after surgery or trauma. 1. adhesion molecules; 2. glycosaminoglycans; 3. glycocalix-bound mediators; 4. endothelial cells; 5. endothelial basement membrane