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J Reconstr Microsurg 1990; 6(4): 357-361
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006842
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1990 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Hydroxyethyl Starch Increases Patency and Reduces Thrombus Formation Following Arteriotomy/Intimectomy in Small Arteries: An Experimental Study in the Rabbit

Jan B. Wieslander, Lars Salemark, Peter Dougan
  • Department of Experimental Research and Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Malmö General Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
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Publication History

Accepted for publication 1990

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Twenty-four arteries of rabbit ears, divided into two groups of 12 vessels each, were prepared and 32P-labelled platelets were infused. Arteriotomy/intimectomy was performed after 1 hr and in vivo platelet accumulation recorded for 2 hr. Group A comprised untreated control animals and group B was treated with 1 g hydroxyethyl starch (HES), MW 450,000 in 17 ml saline/kg b.w. (Plasma-steril®).

Vessel bleeding-times were normal, patency was improved, and intraluminal thrombotic material was reduced after HES treatment. Initial in vivo platelet accumulation was rapid and reached similar levels in both groups. However, the platelet accumulation curves decreased more frequently following HES than in the control group.

HES does not prevent platelet accumulation at trauma sites, but reduces the sizes of the thrombi formed and may enhance disaggregation/fibrinolysis.