Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide by hemoglobin-saline solution in the red cell-free primate.

This study was undertaken to investigate the respiratory properties of hemoglobin-saline solution. Eighteen baboons were exchange transfused with either 6 per cent dextran or 6 per cent hemoglobin-saline solution. All of the hemoglobin-saline solution treated baboons survived three hours at a zero hematocrit reading. All the dextran treated animals died when the hematocrit level fell below 6 per cent. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production remained unchanged from base line during the zero hematocrit interval. It is concluded that the respiratory capability of hemoglobin-saline solution is sufficient to maintain life in the absence of erythrocytes.