Effect of Low Molecular Weight Dextran on Red Blood Cell Charge During Clinical Extracorporeal Circulation

Abstract

Low molecular weight dextran, when included in the priming mixture of a pump oxygenator for clinical extracorporeal circulation, almost uniformly increased the electric charge of red blood cells. In perfusions in which 5 per cent dextrose and water were used as the priming vehicle, there appeared to be no change in red blood cell charge. The increase in red blood cell electronegativity, associated with the presence of low molecular weight dextran, appeared to decrease red blood cell aggregation and permit improved tissue perfusion.