Background: Glycocalyx represents a protective cellular coat on a sugar basis. It serves as a communication medium with outside environment. Glykokalyx also covers the inner apical surface of endothelial cells where it is called the endothelial glycocalyx (EG). Research from last decade declare its pivotal role in physiology and pathophysiology of microcirculation. EG is prone to be damaged in critical conditions but there are more questions than what we actually know about this complex structure. Also, there are new methods being developed for more precise description of EG condition. The aim: The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the level of contemporary evidence about EG and to evaluate methods of its assessment. To describe the condition of EG in experimental model of cardiac arrest (CA) in pig and in experimental model of iatrogenic hypernatremia in rabbit. To describe the influence of different types of anesthesia on EG in patients in perioperative care. To describe the dynamic changes of EG in patients in critical care. To evaluate response of EG to fluid challenge of 500 ml of normal saline in healthy volunteers and the response of EG to administration of lipid emulsion in patients in critical care. To describe the condition of EG in patients with dyslipidemia, with long term home parenteral..
