Effects of diasprin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) on cardiac function and ECG in the swine

The effects of DCLHb on cardiac function were measured in diazepam sedated (2-4 mg/min) swine. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), peak systolic left ventricular pressure (IVP), rate of left ventricular pressure development (dP/dt), pressure rate product (PRP), cardiac output (CO), and ECG were monitored continuously. Hemodynamic parameters were compared during control, DCLHb infusion (40 ml/min), one minute balloon occlusion (BO) of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with a 2.5-3.5 F, 20 mm balloon angioplasty catheter, and four minute balloon occlusion with DCLHb (BO + DCLHb) perfusion (40 ml/min) of the LAD occluded region. Control hemodynamic values were as follows; MAP 91 +/- 6 mmHg, IVP 102 +/- 6 mmHg, dP/dt 2519 +/- 351 mmHg/min, PRP 15809 +/- 1515 mmHg.min, and CO 2.72 +/- 0.29 L/min. There was a significant reduction in cardiac function with BO as compared to control; MAP 16% decreases, IVP 14% decreases, dP/dt 34% decreases, and PRP 40% decreases. In contrast BO + DCLHb significantly increased all measurements of cardiac function, with the exception of CO as compared to control; MAP 32% increases, IVP 29% increases, dP/dt 20% increases, and PRP 19% increases. The S-T segment of the ECG was depressed by a significant 0.134 +/- 0.006 mv from control during BO. There was a significant decrease 0.093 +/- 0.045 mv in the BO + DCLHb group. These data demonstrate an increase in cardiac function and a decrease in S-T segment depression during balloon occlusion with DCLHb perfusion. Further studies are needed to define the mechanism of action of DCLHb mediated increases in cardiac function.