Use of a hemoglobin substitute in the anemic Jehovah's Witness patient

Abstract

Fluosol DA is an experimental means of supplementing oxygen delivery in the anemic patient. The drug's ability to improve oxygen transport appears to improve SVO2. Blood transfusion is the first choice for acute anemia secondary to hemorrhage; however, perfluorochemicals offer an alternative for the patient who cannot accept transfusion therapy. This article reports a case of severe anemia in which transfusion was refused because of the patient's religious convictions. Perfluorochemicals represented an effective medical treatment that was compatible with this patient's religious beliefs. Continued research in artificial oxygen transporters may lead to even more effective drugs for the treatment of acute anemia, possibly decreasing the need for blood transfusion for all patients.