[The influence of different plasma substitutes on blood clotting and platelet function during and after operations...

It has been shown in clinical experiments that plasma substitutes generally have a specific-colloidal influence on special parts of the clotting system. These changes are predominant after infusion of dextran, since on one hand there is an inhibition of platelet function, and on the other hand a decrease in the activity of plasmatic clotting factors. It is to be emphasized that hydroxyethyl starch and with some restrictions even gelatins cause a comparable inhibition of platelet function. These reactions are due to colloid-specific effects only, which have been unknown up to now. Activities of plasmatic clotting factors, however, are not influenced by these substitutes.