Improvement in Circulatory and Oxygenation Status by Perflubron Emulsion (Oxygent™ HT) in a Canine Model of Surgical Hemodilution

To examine the effect of a low dose of Oxygent™ HT on hemodynamics and oxygen transport variables in a canine mode) of profound surgical hemodilution, two groups of adult anesthetized splenectomized beagles were hemodiluted with Ringer's solution to Hb 7 g/dL. The treated group received 1 mL/kg Oxygent™ HT (90% w/v perflubron emulsion perfluorooctyl bromide], Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.) and both groups (7 controls and 10 treated) were further hemodiluted using 6% hydroxyethyl starch until cardiorespiratory decompensation occurred. Pulmonary artery catheterization data and oxygen transport variables were recorded at Hb decrements of 1 g/dL breathing room air. There was no difference among groups during initial hemodilution. However, in the Oxygent™ HT group there was a statistically significant improvement in mean arterial pressure, CVP, cardiac output, PvO2, SvO2, D02 and pulmonary venous admixture shunt during profound hemodilution to Hb levels of 6, 5, and 4 g/dL. A low dose of Oxygent™ HT offered benefit in improving hemodynamics and oxygen transport parameters even under air breathing conditions in a model of surgical hemodilution. This effect was most apparent at lower levels of Hb.