PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
ED  - ,
TI  - Dextran and postoperative thromboembolism
AID  - 10.1136/dtb.13.11.41
DP  - 1975 May 23
TA  - Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin
PG  - 41--43
VI  - 13
IP  - 11
4099  - http://dtb.bmj.com/content/13/11/41.short
4100  - http://dtb.bmj.com/content/13/11/41.full
SO  - Drug Ther Bull1975 May 23; 13
AB  - Two preparations of dextran have been tried for prevention of venous thromboembolic disease, dextran-40 (average m. w. 40,000) and dextran-70 (average m.w. 70,000). Dextrans reduce platelet aggregation and lower blood viscosity.1 Dextran may also reduce the peri-operative rise in the coagulation factors V and VIII.2 However, in some tests dextrans increase platelet aggregation3 and accelerate fibrin formation,4 so that only clinical trial can show whether dextran reduces the incidence of either deep-vein thrombosis or of pulmonary embolism.