title: Low molecular weight dextran therapy for digital ischemia due to collagen vascular disease.
abstract: 12 patients with digital ischemia due to collagen vascular disease were treated with repeated infusions of low molecular weight dextran at intervals from 5 to 6 weeks. The patients were followed clinically and by capillary microscopy. In 5 patients an increased capillary blood flow was seen by capillary microscopy. The clinical changes consisted of a lower number of ulcers in 5 of 9 patients with ulcers and a reduction of cold intolerance in 8 of the 12 patients studied. 4 patients had no improvement at all from the treatment. A determination of dextran-reactive antibodies was also performed.
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D002196:Capillaries / Q000503:physiopathology; D003095:Collagen Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D003911:Dextrans / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D003911:Dextrans