Effect of isovolemic hemodilution with dextran and albumin on thrombus formation in artificial vessel grafts inserted into the abdominal aorta of the rabbit.

The effects of isovolemic hemodilution with dextran-70 and albumin on thrombus formation in artificial arterial grafts were investigated. A polytetrafluoroethylene graft (PTFE, length 13 mm, inner diameter 3 mm) was inserted into the abdominal aorta of rabbits. Three groups of animals were studied; 1) animals receiving isovolemic hemodilution with dextran-70 (10 ml/kg body weight), 2) animals receiving isovolemic hemodilution with albumin (10 ml/kg body weight), and 3) nonhemodiluted controls. The blood flow increased by about 70% and 60% after the hemodilution with dextran and albumin, respectively, and remained high in the hemodiluted animals, after insertion of the graft. After 2 days, the vessel graft was removed and weighed. The thrombus mass was separately weighed. The results suggest that isovolemic hemodilution with both albumin and dextran is associated with a marked increase in blood flow in the rabbit. Hemodilution with dextran also reduced the amount of thrombus formation on the inner wall of the graft.