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Updated: Nov 6, 2025
A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
Increasing hemoglobin concentration with an artificial oxygen carrier improves severe anemia-induced degraded
Richard B Weiskopf1, Robertson Davenport, Andrew P Cap
1From the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California (R.B.W.), San Francisco, California; Department of Pathology (R.D.), University of Michigan Medical School; US Army Institute of Surgical Research (A.P.C.), JBSA-Ft Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas; Department of Medicine (A.P.C.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (V.R.), Wellstar Health System, Marietta, Georgia; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Bioengineering (J.H.W.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Laboratory Medicine Program (C.C.-G.) and Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology (C.C.-G.), University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Severe anemia can cause unconsciousness. Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers may restore consciousness in anemic patients when red blood cell transfusions are not feasible, enabling final interactions.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Hematology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Impaired consciousness is common in terminal illness, limiting patient-family interactions.
- Cognitive impairment may be treatable but is often overlooked due to perceived futility or cost.
- Inadequate cerebral oxygen delivery can cause terminal loss of consciousness.
Observation:
- Five cases involved patients with acute severe anemia (hemoglobin 2.1-5.2 g/dL) who were unconscious or not lucid.
- These patients received an infusion of a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier.
- Institutions involved were four.
Findings:
- Hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier infusion led to awakening or lucidity in unconscious patients with severe anemia.
- This intervention offers a potential treatment for cognitive impairment due to acute severe anemia.
- Restored consciousness facilitated final interactions between patients and their families.
Implications:
- Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers may be a viable option for treating severe anemia-induced unconsciousness.
- This approach could improve end-of-life care by enabling patient-family communication.
- Further research into hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers for acute anemia is warranted.
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