Experience with the Use of Hemopure in the Care of a Massively Burned Adult

Objective: To report the use of a bovine hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC-201) in an elderly patient sustaining extensive thermal injury unable to receive allogenic transfusion due to religious preference. Methods: Case report and literature review describing steps required for acquisition and safe infusion of HBOC-201. Results: Six units of HBOC-201 were infused in the perioperative period for anemia with signs of critically low oxygen delivery without adverse sequelae. The patient ultimately died as a result of multiple organ failure. Conclusions: Despite disappointing results of the use of HBOCs in other patient populations, there is a role for compassionate, emergency use of cell-free hemoglobin in the management of burn patients unable to receive allogenic blood products.