[Use of human albumin and dextran-70 in extracorporeal circulation. Postoperative function of blood platelets (author's transl)].

Human albumin and dextran 70 were used as volume expanders in extracorporeal circulation in two homogeneous series of patients. Comparative results were statistically processed. No significant differences were observed either to early postoperative bleeding or needed volume of transfused blood. Postoperative complications neither developed in the two groups of patients. The total number of platelets showed a 50 percent decrease in relation to basal extraction figures and those after immediate heparin neutralization. Results of platelet function tests were similar in both series, except for a statistical significant decrease in ADP-induced platelet aggregation in the group with dextran 70. Such decrease, however, was not followed by an increase of postoperative bleeding. Thus, dextran 70 has showed to be a valuable substitute for human albumin in extracorporeal circulation.