Artificial Oxygen Carriers Save Lives in Expanded Access Use: Three Cases when Blood Was Not an Option

Emergency investigational new drug applications for a polymerized hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC-201, Hemopure) were completed, and Expanded Access use was granted for these patients. HBOC-201 is an investigational bovine hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier. Herein, we report how acute resuscitation with HBOC-201 was potentially life saving while waiting for supportive therapy, erythropoietin, and/or immune modulatory drugs to take effect in all 3 patients.