Voxelotor as a Treatment of Persistent Hypoxia in the ICU

Omar Al-Qudsi; John M Reynolds; John C Haney; Ian J Welsby

doi:10.1016/j.chest.2023.01.036

Voxelotor as a Treatment of Persistent Hypoxia in the ICU

Chest. 2023 Jul;164(1):e1-e4. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.01.036.

Authors

Omar Al-Qudsi¹, John M Reynolds², John C Haney³, Ian J Welsby⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Division of Transplant Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC.
³ Division of Thoracic Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC.
⁴ Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.

PMID: 37423700
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.01.036

Abstract

Hypoxia is encountered frequently in the ICU as a result of a wide range of pathologic characteristics. The oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve describes hemoglobin's affinity for a given Po₂ and factors affecting uptake and offload. Research in manipulating this relationship between hemoglobin and oxygen is sparing. Voxelotor is a hemoglobin oxygen-affinity modulator that is approved by the US Food and Drug Association for use in the management of sickle cell disease. We present two patients without sickle cell disease who underwent treatment with this novel agent to assist with chronic hypoxia and weaning of mechanical support.

Keywords: ECMO; cardiac surgery; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; hypoxia; liver transplant; mechanical support; oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve; pulmonary hypertension; sickle cell disease; voxelotor.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Anemia, Sickle Cell* / drug therapy
Hemoglobins*
Humans
Hypoxia / therapy
Intensive Care Units
Oxygen / therapeutic use

Substances

voxelotor
Hemoglobins
Oxygen