THE EFFECT OF DEXTRAN INFUSION ON ANTITHROMBIN-III CONCENTRATIONS ANDON PLATELET-FUNCTION DURING MINOR SURGERY

The effects of dextran on the antithrombin (AT) III activity and blood coagulation, evaluated with thromboelastography, were investigated in 26 patients (anaesthesia risk class I or II) scheduled for minor surg ery under general anaesthesia. In the Dextran group the patients were infused first with dextran 7 ml/kg, then with Ringer's acetate. In the Ringer group, the patients received only Ringer's acetate. In the rec overy room, fluid therapy was continued with 5 % dextrose in water unt il the first postoperative day. Blood loss and fluid replacement were comparable in the groups. Haematocrit (Her) decreased significantly in the Dextran group, and the platelet count decreased in both groups du ring surgery. The median baseline AT III values were similar in the st udy groups. In the recovery room, the median AT III value was lower in the Dextran than in the Ringer group, 78 % and 92 %, respectively (P < 0.05). By the following: day, the AT III values had returned near th e initial level. After surgery, the maximal amplitude of thromboelasto gram was 48 mm in the Dextran group, and 58 mm in the Ringer group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, fluid replacement with dextran resulted in mod est and short-lived alterations in blood coagulation.