DEXTRAN EXCRETION RATE IN DESMOPRESSIN TREATED VOLUNTEERS

Desmopressin, or DDAVP, the vasopressin analogue, can be used to reduc e blood loss in patients with congenital and acquired hemostatic disor ders (1) and also when such disorders have been induced by drugs used in relation with surgery (2). It is a potent antidiuretic drug, althou gh there seems to be a physiological compensation of this effect in pa tients undergoing surgery (3). The polysaccharide dextran, which is us ed for plasma expansion and thromboprophylaxis, has an additive effect with desmopressin on the blood volume in healthy volunteers (3). Desm opressin does not impair the effect of dextran to prevent postoperativ e thromboembolism (4). In order to further elucidate possible desmopre ssin-dextran interactions we have studied how desmopressin affects the pharmacokinetics of dextran.