Critical care clinics
-
Critical care clinics · Apr 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyThe USA Multicenter Prehosptial Hemoglobin-based Oxygen Carrier Resuscitation Trial: scientific rationale, study design, and results.
Human polymerized hemoglobin (PolyHeme) is a universally compatible oxygen carrier developed for use when red blood cells are unavailable and oxygen-carrying replacement is needed to treat life-threatening anemia. This multicenter phase III trial assessed survival of patients resuscitated with a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier starting at the scene of injury. ⋯ Although there were more adverse events in the PolyHeme group compared with control patients receiving blood, the observed safety profile is acceptable for the intended population. The benefit-to-risk ratio of PolyHeme is favorable when blood is needed but is not available or an option.