Successful use of a polymerized hemoglobin blood substitute in a critically anemic Jehovah's Witness

South Med J. 2004 Dec;97(12):1257-8. doi: 10.1097/01.SMJ.0000140857.11967.2D.

Abstract

A stable, polymerized hemoglobin product has been formulated that overcomes the three traditional hurdles of hemoglobin-based blood substitutes: nephrotoxicity, osmotic diuresis, and blood-borne pathogens. We present a case of a patient with persistent colonic bleeding and a hemoglobin of 2.9 g/100 mL. Since her religious faith prevented her from accepting blood products, we offered a hemoglobin-based substitute and describe the use of this product.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / drug therapy*
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Blood Substitutes / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / complications
  • Hemoglobins
  • Humans
  • Jehovah's Witnesses*
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Blood Substitutes
  • Hemoglobins
  • hemoglobin polymer