ABSTRACT

Toxicities of hemoglobin (Hb) solutions, which have been demonstrated in nu­ merous animal resuscitation models, prominently include fever, hypertension, thrombocytopenia, activation of the complement and coagulation cascades, dis­ seminated intravascular coagulation with parenchymal organ damage, reduced tolerance to sepsis, susceptibility to bacterial infections, reticuloendothelial cell blockade, and lethal toxicity (1-10). In addition, recent clinical trials of cross­ linked Hb have been associated with production of hypertension and gastroin­ testinal dysmotility.