Abstract
Viscosity and relative suspension value (RSV) of several brands of commercial plasma expanders were studied. At any temperature of 20, 25 and 37°, 10% dextran 40 showed the highest viscosity, followed by 6% dextran 70, hydroxyethyl starch (HES), plasma and isotonic sodium chloride solution, in that order. The higher the viscosity of fluid infusion became, the larger the change of viscosity due to variation of temperature. It is, therefore, desired that high viscosity fluid infusion be warmed up to the body temperature before use, especially in cold winter. Caution should be taken in large-dose administration of high viscosity plasma expanders (eg, 10% dextran 40) to patients predisposed to hyperviscosity of the blood. In the test on RSV, 5 % glucose solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution produced better results than HES and dextran preparations.
