Decrease in hematocrit after coronary stent placement and dextran therapy.
In summary, dextran 40, when given after coronary stent placement, results in a marked decrease in hematocrit within 24 hours. Hematocrit often returns to near baseline levels within 48 hours of stopping dextran. This phenomenon most likely reflects dextran-related hemodilution. This hemodilutional decrease in hematocrit is often misinterpreted as acute blood loss and may result in blood transfusion in patients with low baseline hematocrit. However, far less aggressive anticoagulation regimens, which do not include dextran, are under investigation in patients undergoing coronary stent placement.
Haught
W H
WH
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0277, USA.
Sokol
M
M
Kerensky
R A
RA
Mehta
J L
JL
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D003911:Dextrans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents
D003911:Dextrans