Physiologic effects of transfusing red blood cells with high or low affinity for oxygen to passively hyperventilated, anemic baboons: systemic and cerebral oxygen extraction.

Anemic, passively hyperventilated baboons were given preserved red blood cells either with increased or with slightly reduced affinity for oxygen to restore the red cell volume. In the high affinity group there was a 50% increase in cerebral blood flow immediately after the transfusion, but there was no significant change in the low affinity group. The cardiac output decreased slightly in the low affinity group, and increased slightly but insignificantly in the high affinity group. Two hours after transfusion the cerebral blood flow had returned to normal in the high affinity group. In both groups there was a decrease in arterial blood pH and an increase in Po2 in blood from the pulmonary artery and the jugular vein after transfusion. A 40% restoration of the 2,3 DPG level occurred within 4 hours of the transfusion of red cells with high affinity for oxygen, and this rapid increase was associated with increases in blood pH and inorganic phosphorus levels. Preserved red cells with high affinity for oxygen and low 2, 3 DPG levels significantly increased the cerebral circulation during the 2-hour posttransfusion period. These findings lend support to the recommendation that preserved red cells with normal or elevated 2,3 DPG levels be administered to patients in hemorrhagic or septic shock, and to patients subjected to extracorporeal circulation during cardiac surgery in order to lessen the demand for increased blood flow and to ensure adequate tissue oxygenation during the postoperative period.