Effects of extreme hemodilution with hemoglobin-based O2 carriers on microvascular pressure.

A surface-modified polyethylene glycol-conjugated human hemoglobin (MP4) and αα-cross-linked human hemoglobin (ααHb) were used to restore oxygen carrying capacity in conditions of extreme hemodilution (hematocrit 11%) in the hamster window model preparation. Changes in microvascular function were analyzed in terms of effects on capillary pressure and functional capillary density (FCD). MP4, at 1.0 ± 0.2 g/dl blood concentration, significantly lowered mean arterial pressure (MAP) below baseline (99.6 ± 7.6 mmHg) to 82.4 ± 6.9 mmHg (P <0.05) and decreased of FCD to 70 ± 9%. ααHb caused a greater recovery in MAP to 94.4 ± 6.2 mmHg and lowered FCD to 62 ± 8%. However, differences between ααHb and MP4 in FCD were not statistically significant. Capillary pressures were in the ranges of 17–21 mmHg for MP4 and 15–19 mmHg for ααHb, with both significantly lower than baseline (P < 0.05). Pressure in 80-μm- diameter arterioles was significantly increased with ααHb relative to MP4 (P < 0.05). These results were compared with previous findings on the relation between capillary pressure and FCD; they supported the concept of a relationship between FCD and capillary pressure. Measurement of changes in arteriolar diameter, microvascular blood flow, and FCD show that there was no statistical difference between using ααHb and MP4 in extreme hemodilution. Microvascular resistance in arterioles with a diameter range of 70–80 μm showed an increase relative to control with αα00Hb, whereas MP4 caused a decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]