DEXTRAN 40 IS A PLASMA VOLUME EXPANDER USED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPOVOLAEMIC SHOCK. AS A 10% SOLUTION, DEXTRAN 40 EXERTS A SLIGHTLY HIGHER COLLOIDAL OSMOTIC PRESSURE THAN PLASMA PROTEINS AND THUS PRODUCES A GREATER EXPANSION OF PLASMA VOLUME THAN DEXTRANS OF A HIGHER MOLECULAR WEIGHT, ALTHOUGH THE EXPANSION MAY HAVE A SHORTER DURATION BECAUSE OF MORE RAPID RENAL EXCRETION. DEXTRAN 40 ALSO REDUCES BLOOD VISCOSITY AND INHIBITS SLUDGING OR AGGREGATION OF RED BLOOD CELLS.