Hemopure is shining on the horizon with a hope to act as a bridge or alternative in extremely anaemic patients!
A haemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) solution, Hemopure is an innovation of its kind. It can act as a bridge while the body regenerates red blood cells or it can be an alternative to blood transfusion in extremely anaemic patients, especially when immediate blood transfusion is not possible. Moreover, it is compatible with all blood types.
Mary Jane Michael said:
“It’s just another avenue we can offer to people who have life-threatening anaemia.”
What is hemopure?
Hemopure is an immediate infusion solution as it does not need typing and cross-matching. Hemopure consists of purified, glutaraldehyde-polymerized bovine haemoglobin that transports and subsequently delivers oxygen from the plasma. Additionally, it also helps in expanding the circulating blood volume. Each bag, i.e., 250 mL, contains 32.5 g of glutaraldehyde-polymerized, bovine haemoglobin (Hb) in an iso-oncotic balanced modified Ringer’s lactate. Sterile and flexible infusion bags contain the solution. The bags can be store at room temperature for a minimum of three years.
Not only it can be used without cross-matching, but it can also be used without warming or reconstitution, that too through a standard intravenous line. Moreover, since the molecules of hemopure are smaller than the red blood cells, the molecules can pass through constricted/partially blocked vessels.
Hemopure has an oxygen dissociation curve that has a right shift with a P50 of 40 mmHg, compared to 27 mmHg for corpuscular haemoglobin. It increases the pulmonary diffusion capacity, thereby improving oxygen uptake. Above all, Hemopure is approximately three times more potent than red blood cell haemoglobin when it comes to restoring tissue oxygenation in patients with severe acute anaemia.
Blood transfusion vs Hemopure:
Blood transfusions are never without the risks of complications. The risks can range from anaphylaxis to chronic reactions. Moreover, each blood transfusion is costly and requires a lot of lab work including screening, type and cross match, before the blood can reach the vessels of the affected patients. Hemopure can eliminate these disadvantages. Above all, it is the solution for patients who cannot receive a blood transfusion despite the availability of blood. For instance, when blood transfusions are contraindicated. Also when the patient refuses a transfusion due to religious beliefs, such as Jehovah’s witness.
Although it might not be a perfect blood substitute, it can surely act as an alternative. Especially when blood transfusion is contraindicated. It can also act as a bridge to buy some time for the body to regenerate more red blood cells.