Three Per Cent Dextran‐60 as a Plasma Substitute in Blood Component Therapy

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Abstract
Microaggregate-poor erythrocyte concentrate with 3% dextran-60 as a plasma substitute was compared with microaggregate-poor whole blood for replacement of intra-operative and immediately postoperative blood loss. Sixty patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty randomly received either of these two forms of therapy. In accordance with the clinical routine of our orthopedic department, an infusion of 500 ml of 6% dextran-70 (Macrodex) was given as thrombo-prophylaxis in both groups. Use of 3% dextran-60 as a plasma substitute in blood component therapy for surgical hemorrhage of up to 50% of the calculated blood volume caused no increase in bleeding tendency or frequency of postoperative hematoma compared with whole blood replacement. Plasma protein levels were low immediately postoperatively in patients given the dextran, but from the 4th postoperative day onward there was no difference between the groups. Applied in clinical practice, this would be efficient in saving plasma for other urgent purposes.