Use of a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier in the treatment of severe anemia.

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers hold promise for the treatment of acute anemia. CASE: We report a patient with severe dysfunctional uterine bleeding. During her hospitalization, her lowest hemoglobin level was 3.1 g/dL, with a hematocrit of 9.3%. An investigational product, o-raffinose cross-linked human hemoglobin solution (hemoglobin raffimer), was infused along with ongoing high-dose recombinant human erythropoietin and estrogen. The time until the patient's own hematopoiesis provided sufficient red blood cell mass was successfully managed by reducing oxygen demand and providing multiple hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier infusions. After hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier administration, transient pulmonary hypertension and fever were noted. She was discharged after corrective surgery 7 days after hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier administration with a hemoglobin level of 7.8 g/dL. CONCLUSION: The hemoglobin level-based oxygen carrier improved oxygen delivery and permitted uterine corrective surgery.