Adult respiratory distress syndrome complicating intravenous infusion of low-molecular weight dextran.

Respiratory failure is one of the most uncommon and serious adverse drug reactions. Low-molecular-weight-dextran (Dextran-40) is a useful adjunctive anti-platelet agent in the setting of coronary angioplasty and intracoronary stent placement. We report the occurrence of the adult respiratory distress syndrome following intravenous infusion of Dextran-40.