Observations in Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction With Low Molecular Dextran*†

Abstract

Low molecular dextran was given intravenously to 34 consecutive cases with acute myocardial infarction in doses of from 1.5 to 3.0 gm/kg/24 hours for 76 hours in order to prevent the intravascular sludging known to consistently occur in this condition. Changes from the usual pattern of this illness consisted of the absence of a leukocyte response; delay in elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate; prolonged elevation of the serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase; and prolonged ST elevations, initial T wave improvement with delayed reversion and an apparent reduction in the development of significant Q waves on serial electrocardiograms. Mortality rate was 17.6% compared with 46.6% in 202 cases treated in the same manner without low molecular dextran in the preceding.