Polymerized human Hb use in acute chest syndrome: a case report.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a complication of sickle cell disease that can cause significant morbidity. Transfusion therapy has been shown to significantly increase oxygenation in patients with ACS and RBC exchange is considered the standard of care in patients at high risk of respiratory failure.

CASE REPORT:

A patient with ACS and several high-risk features, including thrombocytopenia, profound anemia, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, staphylococcal sepsis, and pulmonary embolism is presented. The patient refused transfusion on religious grounds and received 12 units of human polymerized Hb solution (poly SFH-P injection, PolyHeme, Northfield Laboratories) over the course of 13 days. The patient's respiratory status improved and she was discharged home without receiving RBC transfusions.

CONCLUSION:

This is the first reported case that describes the use of PolyHeme in a patient with sickle cell disease, ACS, and sepsis. This therapy is thought to have been lifesaving for this patient.

• Authors: Sophie Lanzkron, Alison R Moliterno, Edward J Norris, Steven A Gould, Jodi Segal, Eric L Nuermberger, Paul M Ness
• Journal: Transfusion (Transfusion) Vol. 42 Issue 11 Pg. 1422-7 (Nov 2002) ISSN: 0041-1132 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12421214 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biopolymers
• Blood Substitutes
• Hemoglobins
• polyhemoglobin
• Oxygen

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Anemia, Sickle Cell (complications)
• Biopolymers (therapeutic use)
• Blood Substitutes (therapeutic use)
• Chest Pain (etiology, therapy)
• Female
• Hemoglobins (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Jehovah's Witnesses
• Lung Diseases (diagnostic imaging, etiology, therapy)
• Oxygen (blood)
• Pulmonary Embolism (complications)
• Radiography
• Respiratory Insufficiency (prevention & control)
• Sepsis (complications)
• Staphylococcal Infections (complications)
• Thrombocytopenia (complications)