Abstract
In vitro tests on heparinized blood have shown that high molecular weight dextrans cause large increases in blood viscosity at low rates of shear. This may explain their deleterious effects on the perfusion of the capillaries in shock.
Low molecular dextrans do not diminish blood viscosity below the control value.
The experimental procedures employed constitute a rapid, simple method for testing in vitro the effects of plasma expanders on blood viscosity.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.