OXYGEN-TRANSPORT CAPACITY AND HEMODYNAMIC-EFFECT OF NEWLY DEVELOPED ARTIFICIAL BLOOD NEO RED-CELLS (NRC)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate liposome-encapsulated hemogl obin, named Neo Red Cells (NRC), on hemodynamics and oxygen-transport capacity in a blood exchange experiment. The experiment was carried ou t in nine mongrel dogs. Depending on the percentage of blood exchange with NRC, the animals were divided into two groups; Group I (4 animals with an exchange rate less than 88%), and Group II (5 animals with an exchange rate over 88%). After blood exchange, total peripheral vascu lar resistance index (TPRI) decreased and cardiac index (CI) increased . These changes were more marked in Group II than in Group I, thus sho wing that NRC relieved the burden on the heart, probably due to the fa ct that the viscosity of NRC is 2 cp which is less than 1/3 that of wh ole blood. The oxygen binding capacity per 1g hemoglobin in NRC was 2- 4 times as much as red blood cells. Thus, NRC was superior to natural red blood cells in terms of oxygen transport capacity and its effects on the circulatory system.