Deleterious effects of stroma-free hemoglobin used as resuscitative fluid for rats with ischemic intestinal shock

This study examined the effect of modified stroma-free Hgb solution (SFHS) as a resuscitative fluid for rats in an ischemic intestinal shock model. The experiments compared the effect of SFHS with two other resuscitative fluids: lactated Ringer's solution (RL) and 3% albumin in RL. The control group received no fluids. After the induction of shock, the resuscitative solution was given iv over a 6-h period. RL and albumin in RL resulted in long-term (greater than 7 days) survival in 15 of 16 animals. All animals in the control group and six of eight animals in the SFHS-treated group died within 24 h. Hct was used to estimate changes in intravascular volume. All control animals became hemoconcentrated and exhibited a 50% loss in plasma volume. The failure of SFHS to improve significantly the survival in rats compared to the controls is surprising in view of the fact that the SFHS had the same oncotic pressure as the albumin-containing solution and identical volumes were administered.