The effects of a blood-salvaging device on blood containing a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, HBOC-201

Objectives: Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers will be used concurrently with intraoperative blood salvage. The effects of salvage and processing on blood containing one such solution (HBOC-201; Biopure Corp, Boston, MA) were studied. Design: Prospective, randomized. Setting: Laboratory. Interventions: Sixteen blood units from healthy volunteers had either HBOC (1,500 mg/dL; n = 10) or normal saline (equivalent volume; n = 6) added. All units were salvaged and processed using s blood salvage device. Samples were analyzed for the concentration and molecular weight distribution of plasma hemoglobin and red cell morphology presalvage (pre) and following processing and washing (post 1). Five of the HBOC units underwent a second 1,000 mL wash (post 2). Measurements and Main Results: Processing and washing decreased the concentration of plasma hemoglobin (mg/dL) in HBOC units (1311 ± 265 pre to 27.8 ± 19.6 post 1 to 6.5 ± 2.19 post 2), but did not change the plasma hemoglobin concentration in saline units (2.05 ± 1.27 pre v 3.18 ± 0.79 post 1). Total plasma hemoglobin in HBOC units (6.56 ± 2.19) was significantly greater than in saline units (3.18 ± 0.79), even after the second wash (post 2). The concentration of unstable hemoglobin in the plasma phase was not different between groups. Red cell morphology was altered by the salvage process but was not different between groups. Conclusions: Salvage and processing of blood containing HBOC yield concentrated red cells that are indistinguishable from those obtained from blood without HBOC. Residual HBOC remains but is unchanged from the HBOC initially administered.