Effects of a novel hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier on percent oxygen saturation as determined with arterial blood gas analysis and pulse oximetry

Hemoglobin solutions

OBJECTIVE

To review current knowledge about cell-free hemoglobin solutions.

DATA SOURCE

A computerized MEDLINE search was used to retrieve all studies concerning cell-free hemoglobin solutions from 1990 to 2003. The reference lists of all available review articles and primary studies were also reviewed to identify references not identified in the computerized search.

STUDY SELECTION

All clinical and experimental studies involving cell-free hemoglobin solutions were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

From the selected studies, information was obtained regarding the experimental model or the study population in which cell-free hemoglobin solutions were investigated, the type of cell-free hemoglobin solution used, their deleterious or beneficial effects, and their possible indications.

DATA SYNTHESIS

In many studies, hemoglobin solutions were considered as efficient resuscitative agents and good alternatives to red blood cell transfusion, owing to their marked vasopressor effect, coupled with their capacity to improve the microcirculation and rapidly restore metabolic parameters. The main problems identified include excessive systemic vasoconstriction and oxidative damage. Initial enthusiasm in the development of hemoglobin solutions has been tempered recently by the negative results of a U.S. multicenter trial studying the early infusion of diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin in trauma patients. Nevertheless, the properties of diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (and particularly the strong vasopressor effects) cannot be attributed to all hemoglobin solutions, and results of new clinical studies are eagerly awaited to evaluate the potential benefit of such solutions in the management of trauma patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Today, we are aware of the effects of the first generation of blood substitutes. Further research is ongoing into newer solutions. One area of interest is the development of new molecular structures to decrease nitric oxide binding, thus minimizing any adverse events and maximizing potential benefits. Nevertheless, possible adverse effects need to be carefully evaluated before these agents can be widely administered.

The use of haemoglobin glutamer-250 (HBOC-201) as an oxygen bridge in patients with acute anaemia associated with surgical blood loss

For the treatment of substantial blood loss in surgery, allogeneic blood is transfused to maintain stability and organ perfusion and function. Continued concerns about the availability, safety, efficacy and storage-related problems of allogeneic blood products have led to an intense effort to find alternatives that can serve the same physiologic functions. Haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are compounds that can match the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells (RBCs), and several HBOCs have reached advanced stages of development and clinical testing. Multi-centre, randomised, Phase III, controlled trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of haemoglobin glutamer-250 (bovine) (Hemopure), Biopure Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA), also known as HBOC-201. HBOC-201 is bovine-derived, modified haemoglobin that has been ultrapurified to remove any plasma proteins, RBC stroma and potential pathogenic material. During the manufacturing process, crosslinking and polymerisation stabilise the haemoglobin molecule, which increases its vascular persistence as well as the efficiency of oxygen transport to tissue. Results from clinical trials indicate that HBOC-201 can be used as an oxygen 'bridge' for patients experiencing anaemia due to surgical blood loss, until their own red blood cells are replenished or have regenerated (haematinic effect). HBOC-201 is generally well-tolerated and is approved for use in South Africa, where it is indicated for use in adult surgical patients who are acutely anaemic, and is used to eliminate, delay or reduce the need for allogeneic RBCs. A Biologics License Application for HBOC-201 is currently under review by the US FDA.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in piglets using a polymerized bovine hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution (HBOC-201)

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine if the polymerized bovine hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution HBOC-201 is an acceptable substitute for blood in a healthy porcine, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) model.

METHODS

Ten piglets (15 to 25 kg) were placed on venoarterial ECMO. Four animals received blood-primed ECMO, and 6 animals received HBOC-201-primed ECMO. Hemodynamic variables, urine output, blood gas analyses, complete blood counts, and lactate levels were followed for 6 hours. Data were analyzed using a nonparametric sign test and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

All animals survived the 6-hour ECMO procedure. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, urine output, and serum lactate levels were not significantly different between groups. Postpriming volume was 176 +/- 156 mL in the blood group. None of the animals in the HBOC-201 group required additional volume to maintain target flow during ECMO (P <.05). Arterial pH, pO2, and oxygen content between groups were not significantly different. Hematocrit for the HBOC-201 group was significantly (P <.05) lower than the blood group.

CONCLUSIONS

HBOC-201-primed ECMO in a healthy porcine model showed similar hemodynamics and equivalent oxygen carrying capacity to blood-primed ECMO. Postpriming volume requirement was decreased significantly in the HBOC group. ECMO using HBOC-201 instead of blood appears promising and warrants further investigation.

Polymerized bovine hemoglobin solution as a replacement for allogeneic red blood cell transfusion after cardiac surgery: results of a randomized, double-blind trial

BACKGROUND

Blood loss leading to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity is usually treated with red blood cell transfusions. This study examined the hypothesis that a hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution can serve as an initial alternative to red blood cell transfusion.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind efficacy trial of HBOC-201, a total of 98 patients undergoing cardiac surgery and requiring transfusion were randomly assigned to receive either red blood cell units or HBOC-201 (Hemopure; Biopure Corporation, Cambridge, Mass) for the first three postoperative transfusions. Patients were monitored before and after transfusion, at discharge, and at 3 to 4 weeks after the operation for subsequent red blood cell use, hemodynamics, and clinical laboratory parameters.

RESULTS

The use of HBOC-201 eliminated the need for red blood cell transfusions in 34% of cases (95% confidence interval 21%-49%). Patients in the HBOC group received a mean of 1.72 subsequent units of red blood cells; those who received red blood cells only received a mean of 2.19 subsequent units (P =.05). Hematocrit values were transiently lower in the HBOC group but were similar in the two groups at discharge and follow-up. Oxygen extraction was greater in the HBOC group (P =.05). Mean increases in blood pressure were greater in the HBOC group, but not significantly so.

CONCLUSION

HBOC-201 may be an initial alternative to red blood cell transfusions for patients with moderate anemia after cardiac surgery. In a third of cases, HBOC-201 eliminated the need for red blood cell transfusion, although substantial doses were needed to produce this modest degree of blood conservation.

The use of bovine hemoglobin glutamer-250 (Hemopure) in surgical patients: results of a multicenter, randomized, single-blinded trial

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier-201 (HBOC-201, hemoglobin glutamer-250 [bovine], Hemopure; Biopure Corporation, Cambridge, MA) is polymerized hemoglobin of bovine origin being developed as an oxygen therapeutic. In this study, we evaluated the tolerability of a single intraoperative dose of HBOC-201 in surgical patients. In a single-blinded, multicenter study, 81 patients were randomized to receive either a single infusion of HBOC-201 (55 patients) or an equivalent volume of lactated Ringer's solution (26 patients). Forty-two patients originally assigned to the HBOC-201 group received the entire planned treatment of only one of the following doses: 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 g/kg of body weight. Thirteen of the 55 patients in the HBOC-201-assigned group did not reach the trigger point for transfusion administration, and they were not included in the analysis. We studied clinical outcomes and compared hematologic findings, blood chemistry values, and blood use in the two treatment groups. There were no patient deaths in this study. No pattern of clinically significant laboratory abnormalities could be attributed to exposure to HBOC-201. In the HBOC-201 group, 2 patients had a transient increased concentration of serum transaminases and 6 had transient skin discoloration. One patient in the HBOC-201 group had mast cell degranulation with hypotension. Postoperatively, methemoglobin plasma concentrations increased in the HBOC-201 group in a dose-dependent manner, reaching maximal values of 3.7% +/- 3.2% (average of all doses given) on postoperative day 3. There was no difference in the mean number of allogeneic blood units transfused in the 2 groups (3.3 +/- 1.8 and 3.7 +/- 4.1 for the lactated Ringer's solution and HBOC-201 groups, respectively) over the course of hospitalization. The intraoperative administration of HBOC-201, up to a maximum of 245 g, was generally well tolerated. There was no relationship between HBOC-201 use and the number of allogeneic blood units transfused over the entire hospitalization course. The administration of HBOC-201 was associated with a delayed (third postoperative day) dose-dependent increase in the plasma methemoglobin concentration. We conclude that the intraoperative use of HBOC-201 was generally well tolerated.

IMPLICATIONS

The intraoperative use of hemoglobin glutamer-250 (bovine) (HBOC-201, Hemopure was generally well tolerated. The administration of HBOC-201 was associated with a delayed increase in the plasma methemoglobin concentrations.

Validation of in vivo MR measurement of oxygen saturation after resuscitation with a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier in a rabbit model

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The authors tested whether noninvasive magnetic resonance (MR) oximetry is accurate in the in vivo measurement of oxygen saturation in a stroma-free, hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A central venous catheter was placed in the inferior vena cava (IVC) of 10 New Zealand white rabbits (weight range, 2.5-3.2 kg). Each rabbit underwent removal of 20% of blood volume followed by resuscitation with 10 mL/kg of bovine HBOC-200. Oxygen saturation of the blood mixture was measured in vivo at the IVC with MR oximetry, with separate in vitro calibration for each animal. Blood drawn from the IVC was measured with ex vivo oximetry, which was used as the standard of reference. The in vivo and ex vivo measurements were compared.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference (P > .1) between measurements obtained with MR oximetry and ex vivo oximetry. The results with in vivo MR oximetry demonstrated excellent correlation with those from ex vivo oximetry (r = 0.99) over a wide range of physiologic oxygen saturation values (16.7%-74.9%) in venous blood.

CONCLUSION

Noninvasive in vivo MR measurement of oxygen saturation is valid for whole blood mixed with stroma-free hemoglobin. Therefore, MR oximetry may be clinically useful for assessing the oxygenation status in patients resuscitated with a HBOC.

Hemoglobin solutions--not just red blood cell substitutes

OBJECTIVE

To review current knowledge about cell-free hemoglobin solutions.

DATA SOURCES

All studies involving cell-free hemoglobin were retrieved from a computerized MEDLINE search from 1980 to 1998. We also reviewed the reference lists of all available review articles and primary studies to identify references not found in the computerized search.

STUDY SELECTION

Clinical and experimental studies in which cell-free hemoglobin solutions were studied.

DATA EXTRACTION

From the selected studies, information was obtained regarding the experimental model or the study population in which cell-free hemoglobin solutions were investigated, the type of cell-free hemoglobin solution, their deleterious or beneficial effects, and their possible indications.

DATA SYNTHESIS

In many studies, hemoglobin solutions were considered as efficient resuscitative agents and good alternatives to red blood cell transfusion, because of their marked vasopressor effect coupled with their capacity to improve the microcirculation and quickly restore metabolic parameters. Nevertheless, potential problems include an increased susceptibility to infection, immunosuppression, oxidative damage, excessive pulmonary and systemic vasoconstriction, and platelet activation.

CONCLUSIONS

Hemoglobin solutions are more than mere blood substitutes. Promising effects on oxygen transport and the microcirculation need to be confirmed, and the results of continuing research are eagerly awaited.

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers: development and clinical potential

This article addresses issues involved in the development of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and provides a focused overview of the 4 hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers with emergency medicine application currently in clinical trials.