The effect of dextran 40 on patency following severe trauma in small arteries and veins.
Arteriotomy/intimectomy and venotomy/intimectomy were performed in the rabbit ear. Low molecular-weight dextran (dextran 40) was infused 2 h before reperfusion and on postoperative days 1, 3 and 5 using a standard clinical protocol. Bleeding-times at reperfusion were recorded and patencies determined at intervals up to 2 weeks. Rabbits given single preoperative bolus doses of saline were used as controls. Dextran significantly prolonged bleeding-times in arteries and significantly improved early patency in both types of vessel, but the enhancements disappear by one week. Dextran 40 infusion thus has little effect on long-term patency.
Salemark
L
L
Department of Experimental Research, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
Knudsen
F
F
Dougan
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D001760:Bleeding Time; D003911:Dextrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006400:Hematocrit; D008866:Microsurgery; D011292:Premedication; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000187:drug effects*; D014680:Veins / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery
D003911:Dextrans; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents