Suppressive Effect of Dextran on Platelet Adhesiveness^[*]

Summary

43 normal volunteers, 3 patients with thrombophlebitis, and 1 patient with a high platelet adhesiveness and a history of thrombophlebitis have received dextran and its action on the mechanism of haemostasis has been studied. Platelet adhesiveness has been investigated by a slight modification of Hellem’s methods for whole blood and plasma. Dextran with a mean molecular weight of 70,000 produced a markedly lowered platelet adhesiveness together with a moderate prolongation of the Ivy bleeding time. Factor VIII was decreased by about 50% and factor V, factor IX and fibrinogen were decreased slightly more than could be expected from haemodilution alone. No fibrinolysis occurred. Dextran of lower molecular size was less potent. The possible use of dextrans as a thrombosis prophylactic agent is discussed.

^* This work was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council, the National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service (Research Grant HE 07066), Fylgia’s foundation, Erik, Nelly and Edvin Håkansson’s foundation and the Medical Faculty, Lund.

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