CONTINUOUS-INFUSION OF PYRIDOXALATED HEMOGLOBIN POLYOXYETHYLENE CONJUGATE IN HYPERDYNAMIC SEPTIC SHEEP

Cell-free hemoglobin solutions can scavenge nitric oxide and therefore increase mean arterial pressure (MAP), The present study investigated the effects of a continuous low-dose infusion of modified hemoglobin during ovine hyperdynamic sepsis. 13 sheep received a continuous infus ion of live Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria for 48 h. Animals that sur vived the first 24 h of sepsis (n = 12) were randomly assigned either to a treatment group that received 20 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) pyridoxalated he moglobin polyoxyethylene conjugate (PHP) for 20 h or to a control grou p that received the same volume of the vehicle for 20 h, MAP increased in the treatment group during 4 h of PHP infusion 12.7 +/- 1.7 mmHg ( p < .05) and after 20 h of PHP infusion MAP was still 12.4 +/- 2.1 mmH g above the MAP before starting PHP (p < .05). MAP in the control grou p did not change significantly from 24 h to 48 h of sepsis, No differe nces in regional blood flow were seen between groups. Bacterial counts in the spleen and kidney were lower in the treatment group than in th e control group. Continuous low-dose infusion of PHP can normalize sys temic vascular resistance and MAP for long periods without deteriorati on of regional blood flow or bacterial clearance.