Low molecular weight dextran therapy for digital ischemia due to collagen vascular disease

12 patients with digital ischemia due to collagen vascular disease were treated with repeated infusions of low molecular weight dextran at intervals from 5 to 6 weeks. The patients were followed clinically and by capillary microscopy. In 5 patients an increased capillary blood flow was seen by capillary microscopy. The clinical changes consisted of a lower number of ulcers in 5 of 9 patients with ulcers and a reduction of cold intolerance in 8 of the 12 patients studied. 4 patients had no improvement at all from the treatment. A determination of dextran-reactive antibodies was also performed.