Blood replacement in dogs by dextran–hemoglobin

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Abstract
Exchange transfusions in dogs were performed with a solution of dextran or a covalent complex between dextran and human Hb. Dogs transfused with dextran alone died when their hematocrit was lowered to 6-10%. Dogs tranfused with the dextran-Hb complex survived a reduction of their hematocrit to 2% or below. In the latter animals, the dextran-Hb complex disappeared from the circulation with an average half-life of 2.4 days. Correcting for oxidation of the Hb moiety to methemoglobin, the half-life of functional unoxidized dextran-Hb in the circulation was 1.9 days. In compensation for the loss of dextran-Hb, vigorous erythropoiesis was observed at a rate of close to 5% hematocrit per day over the first 2 days following the exchange transfusion. As a result, the total Hb concentration in blood was maintained at 5-6% during this period, and the animals went on to complete recovery in room air without the need for further transfusion with dextran-Hb.

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