The effect of hemopure on coagulation in clinically relevant concentrations

Hemopure is a new colloidal blood substitute that may influence coagulation. We designed this study to examine the influence of this product on in vitro coagulation of whole blood by using the thrombelastograph (TEG). Blood samples from 20 volunteers were obtained. Hemopure was added to blood samples to obtain 0.5, 1, and 2 g/dL mixtures of Hemopure in blood. Control consisted of an undiluted sample and, for comparison, two samples diluted with volumes of lactated Ringer's solution (LR) equivalent to the two higher Hemopure dilutions. TEG with Hemopure at a concentration of 2 g/dL showed significantly shorter reaction and clot formation k times and an increased alpha angle compared with control. LR dilution with equivalent volume to 2 g/dL Hemopure solution also resulted in significantly shorter reaction and k times, as well as an increased alpha angle. Coagulation in samples with Hemopure at concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mg/dL did not vary significantly from control. Maximum amplitude did not vary significantly from control in any samples. The effect of Hemopure on TEG measures of coagulation is not significantly different from that of LR at clinically relevant concentrations.