Summary
In 30 non-anesthetized rabbits, platelet adhesiveness of arterial blood was determined
before and 2, 6, and 24 h after 10 min intravenous infusions of either 20 ml isotonic
saline solution (5 control rabbits), or 2.4 g each of dextran 40,000 (4 rabbits),
dextran 70,000 (4 rabbits), polyvinylpyrrolidone (P. V. P.) 40,000 (8 rabbits), hydroxyethyl
starch (H. E. S.) 60,000 (4 rabbits), or H. E. S. 450,000 (5 rabbits) in saline solution.
Platelet adhesiveness did not change significantly after infusions of saline, dextran
40,000, or H. E. S. 450,000. In contrast, dextran 70,000 and H. E. S. 60,000 promptly
produced about one-third decrease in platelet adhesiveness which returned toward control
levels 24 h after the infusions. Finally, P.V.P. also promptly diminished percent
platelet adhesiveness by about one-third of control values and this effect persisted
24 h after infusion. Changes in platelet adhesiveness did not correlate with alterations
in hematocrit or platelet count.
On a weight basis, P. V. P. elicits the most persistent decrease in platelet adhesiveness.