The effect of an infusion of low molecular weight dextran on peripheral resistance in patients with arteriosclerosis

Low molecular weight dextran is frequently given to improve the flow of blood to the periphery, but its mode of action is uncertain. We measured the effect of an infusion of 500 ml of Dextran 40 on the peripheral resistance in 12 patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for atherosclerotic occlusi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBritish journal of surgery Vol. 63; no. 9; p. 691
Main Authors Humphreys, W V, Walker, A, Cave, F D, Charlesworth, D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.09.1976
Subjects
Arteriosclerosis - physiopathology
Arteriosclerosis - surgery
Blood Flow Velocity
Blood Viscosity - drug effects
Dextrans - pharmacology
Femoral Artery - surgery
Hematocrit
Humans
Molecular Weight
Vascular Resistance - drug effects
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Summary:Low molecular weight dextran is frequently given to improve the flow of blood to the periphery, but its mode of action is uncertain. We measured the effect of an infusion of 500 ml of Dextran 40 on the peripheral resistance in 12 patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for atherosclerotic occlusion of the superficial femoral artery. After the infusion, values of packed cell volume and blood viscosity indicated haemodilution. There was a consistent increase in mean flow and a fall in peripheral resistance. There was no correlation between change in viscosity and change in peripheral resistance, but there was a good correlation between the percentage change in resistance and the initial resistance. This suggests that the increase in flow of blood was due to reflex vasodilatation rather than to any reduction in viscosity.
ISSN:0007-1323
DOI:10.1002/bjs.1800630905