The prevention of postoperative pulmonary emboli with low-molecular-weight dextran.

The effect of low-molecular-weight (LMW) dextran as a prophylactic agent in the prevention of pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombophlebitis was evaluated. Eighty-seven patients were given LMW dextran during and after surgery on a predetermined schedule during the study period. These 87 patients were compared to 103 patients who, in the previous year and a half, received no pharmacologic prophylaxis. In the dextran group there was one suspected pulmonary embolus, no case of deep vein thrombophlebitis, and no death. In the control group there was one case of deep vein thrombophlibitis, seven cases of pulmonary emboli, and three deaths directly attributable to pulmonary emboli.