Effect of isovolemic hemodilution with dextran and albumin on thrombus formation in artificial vessel grafts inserted into the abdominal aorta of the rabbit.

Abstract

The effects of isovolemic hemodilution with dextran-70 and albumin on thrombus formation in artificial arterial grafts were investigated. A polytetrafluoroethylene graft (PTFE, length 13 mm, inner diameter 3 mm) was inserted into the abdominal aorta of rabbits. Three groups of animals were studied; 1) animals receiving isovolemic hemodilution with dextran-70 (10 ml/kg body weight), 2) animals receiving isovolemic hemodilution with albumin (10 ml/kg body weight), and 3) nonhemodiluted controls. The blood flow increased by about 70% and 60% after the hemodilution with dextran and albumin, respectively, and remained high in the hemodiluted animals, after insertion of the graft. After 2 days, the vessel graft was removed and weighed. The thrombus mass was separately weighed. The results suggest that isovolemic hemodilution with both albumin and dextran is associated with a marked increase in blood flow in the rabbit. Hemodilution with dextran also reduced the amount of thrombus formation on the inner wall of the graft.