Prehospital Bovine Hemoglobin

[drthrockmorton]

This is a stretch, but does anyone have any experience or relationship to studies with the prehospital utilization of polymerized bovine hemoglobin (HBOC-201)?

It appears that most studies have occurred within the Dept. of Defense, so those that have experience may not be at liberty to comment, but thought I'd introduce the topic anyway.

Cheers

[Dorkfish]

www.emsnetwork.org was running a headline that said it tanked big time in field trials . I think this is what you are talking about . They had the numbers , but said pts that received normal saline had a better outcome .

[drthrockmorton]

Dorkfish
Thanks for the article! I hadn't read that. But I believe they were discussing Polyheme, a human hemoglobin based product. This is different from the bovine "cow" based hemoglobin substitute.

One study found excellent results in pigs with exsanguination induced shock and then fluid replacement therapy with bovine hemoglobin. I also saw another study in New York concerning it's use in MI and ischemia. I'm wondering if anyone has had any personal or associative interactions with the therapy.

Merry Christmas

[CornholioMedic]

That's one I haven't heard about yet. We were part of the Poly-Heme study last year and had some pretty damn good results with that considering how few patients were entered in that study. I think there should be final approval for use of Poly-Heme for pre-hospital trauma.

[medicmade]

We have a near by city doing a test run in ems and at the hospital. So far so good, no adverse reaction. I am talking about Polyhem...sorry. I talked to one of the life flight guys the other day and he likes it. It has a shelf life of one year and it doesnt need to be refrigerated. here is a site to look at.. www.northfieldlabs.com there are the makers of polyheme

[CornholioMedic]

Poly-Heme has been used in the field for some time for combat trauma purposes but has yet to pas FDA approval. Anytime something is used in the medical field for the military, it can be used without FDA approval in most cases.

I believe we had roughly 20 patients entered into the study here in Detroit and it improved the survival rate bar 1 patient and that patient died from causes of injury, not from the Poly-Heme. I do know that there has been concern with it's use, due to the possibility of Iron toxicity associated with it's use. From my understanding there was a previous study done that showed that while patients survived their injuries due to the Poly-Heme, some died shortly there after due to toxicity. From what I gather, there were some adjustments made and it now works better.

From everything I've seen and heard, it's great stuff and should be used in pre-hospital trauma cases and maybe even in cases with acute, severe G.I. bleeds with hypotension.

[kjrff23]

This is a stretch, but does anyone have any experience or relationship to studies with the prehospital utilization of polymerized bovine hemoglobin (HBOC-201)?

It appears that most studies have occurred within the Dept. of Defense, so those that have experience may not be at liberty to comment, but thought I'd introduce the topic anyway.

Cheers
Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't we use this and other animal blood products to put out flammible liquid fires no so long ago? Leave it to the government to find another use.