Increased Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate Following Anti-Thrombotic Treatment with Dextrans

Abstract
The influence of clinical dextran preparations was studied in two groups of patients subjected to vascular surgery. In those receiving dextran 70 the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) rose to more than twice the normal value for the postoperative period. An increasing tendency was also observed following dextran 40 infusions. If not realized, this ESR elevation in patients given dextrans may lead to diagnostic errors. Harmful effects caused by the accumulation of large dextran molecules should be considered.