Hemodynamic effects after partial exchange transfusion with pyridoxylated polyhemoglobin in chimpanzees

Partial exchange transfusion with 8.5% pyridoxylated polyhemoglobin solution [PolyHb-PPa] was performed in five anesthetized spontaneously-breathing male chimpanzees weighing 22-30 kg. Mean exchange volume was 42.5 +/- 10.7 ml/kg BW (26.8-54.6 ml/kg), mean exchange rate 56.7 +/- 7.1% (48.2-67.4%). All animals survived long-term. The chimpanzee's hemodynamics remained stable for the 5 h observation period. Right and left ventricular filling pressures remained constant, mean arterial pressure and mean pulmonary arterial pressure increased by up to 40% after the exchange. Cardiac output remained unaffected by the partial exchange and stroke volume did not change substantially although oxygen capacity and oxygen transport capacity decreased by about a third. The failure of cardiac output to rise after partial exchange transfusion with PolyHb-PPa contrasts with results after isovolemic hemodilution using non-oxygen-carrying blood substitutes and is not adequately explained by the oxygen capacity of 8.5% PolyHb-PPa (9.3 ml O2/dl).