title: Dextran 40-induced coagulopathy confused with von Willebrand disease.
abstract: In a patient who had undergone reconstructive surgery on the subclavian artery and was treated postoperatively with aspirin and dextran 40, a bleeding diathesis developed within 24 hours. This was at first thought to be von Willebrand disease, since the bleeding time was longer than ten minutes; the factor VIII level, 28%; and the activated partial thromboplastin time, 50 seconds (normal 30 to 38). The patient's defect responded to discontinuance of the low-molecular-weight, dextran and aspirin therapy and administration of a cryoprecipitate. Later studies of the coagulation mechanism up to two and one-half months were entirely normal. The postoperative defect therefore was assumed to have been the result of the administration of dextran and aspirin. It is possible that in a similar future case, discontinuance of dextran infusion and administration of a single bolus of 12 bags of cryoprecipitate may be adequate treatment.
mesh_terms: D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003911:Dextrans / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans