Ds. Malcolm et al., CHARACTERIZATION OF THE HEMODYNAMIC-RESPONSE TO INTRAVENOUS DIASPIRINCROSS-LINKED HEMOGLOBIN SOLUTION IN RATS, Artificial cells, blood substitutes, and immobilization biotechnology, 22(1), 1994, pp. 91-107
Diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin solution (DCLHb(TM)) has potential fo
r clinical use as an oxygen-carrying solution because of its excellent
oxygen transport properties and biochemical stability. The present st
udy characterizes the effects of intravenous infusions of 0.625-40 mL/
kg (62.5-4000 mg/kg) DCLHb on mean blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate
(HR) in conscious rats. DCLHb at all doses tested except 62.5 mg/kg w
as associated with an immediate increase in MAP (25-30% above baseline
) that peaked between 20-30 minutes after infusion and returned to bas
eline within 120-300 minutes in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum MAP a
chieved was in the range of 129 +/- 7 to 140 +/- 7 mm Hg and there was
no statistically significant difference in the response between doses
. HR responded in a reciprocal manner to changes in MAP. Volume- and o
ncotic-matched infusions of LR and albumin did not alter MAP or HR. Sl
ow infusion (0.34 mL/min) of DCLHb appeared to blunt the magnitude of
the presser response when compared to bolus injection (<10 sec). DCLHb
administration is associated with a presser response that is not due
to volume load, oncotic pressure, or rate of infusion, suggesting that
it is intrinsic to the modified hemoglobin molecule and pharmacologic
in nature.