title: Studies of the antithrombotic effects of dextran 40 following microarterial trauma.
abstract: The effects of dextran 40 on platelet function and thrombus formation have been studied in vivo in arteries of the rabbit ear. Intra-aortic infusions of 32P-labelled platelets were followed by infusions of 1.7 g dextran 40 in 17 ml saline/kg b w. Treated and untreated groups were studied using as trauma either end-to-end anastomosis or arteriotomy (7 mm)/intimectomy (5 mm). After restoring blood flow, bleeding times at the sites of anastomosis and arteriotomy/intimectomy were recorded. Accumulations of labelled platelets were followed in vivo for 2 hours, after which patencies were determined and amounts of red thrombotic material evaluated. In a separate series of measurements, haematocrit levels after dextran infusion were studied. Nearly all vessels in the end-to-end anastomosis groups were patent. In the arteriotomy/intimectomy groups, there was a significant increase in patency following dextran infusion. Dextran infusion did not alter platelet accumulation following end-to-end anastomosis, but following arteriotomy/intimectomy median values were somewhat reduced. Its antithrombotic effects must therefore arise mainly at stages of thrombus formation subsequent to platelet deposition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Research, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salemark
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Wieslander
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dougan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arnljots
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001760:Bleeding Time; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D003911:Dextrans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006400:Hematocrit; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008866:Microsurgery; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011817:Rabbits; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors