Hyperoxic ventilation reduces 6-hour mortality at the critical hemoglobin concentration.

This experimental study convincingly demonstrates that hyperoxic ventilation of pigs diluted to the individual critical hematocrit is able to guarantee oxygenation of the vital organs and thereby allows survival.

One can conclude from this study that general and tissue hypoxia encountered at the transfusion trigger can safely and rapidly be reversed by switching to hyperoxic ventilation (FiO2 = 1.0). This manouver permits to gain time for provision of red cells for transfusion. At hematocrits significantly lower than normal, hypoxia does not induce vasoconstriction with consecutive impairment of tissue perfusion and oygenation.

– Konrad Messmer