Isovolemic hemodilution increases retinal tissue oxygen tension.

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic isovolemic hemodilution has been reported to improve blood flow and oxygen delivery. Few reliable measurements have been made, however, showing the effect of hemodilution on tissue oxygen tension.

METHODS

We measured retinal oxygen tension during experimental isovolemic hemodilution in normal cats. Polarographic oxygen microelectrodes were placed in the vitreous humor within 100-200 microns of the retinal surface.

RESULTS

Tissue oxygen tension increased initially during isovolemic hemodilution to a maximum approximately 50% above baseline at approximately two thirds of the original hematocrit level. Hemodilution beyond this point to lower hematocrits caused a steady decline in tissue oxygen tension. Cardiac output measured in one cat undergoing isovolemic hemodilution increased as hematocrit was lowered, but the cardiac erythrocyte flux actually decreased steadily.

CONCLUSION

The observed increase in tissue oxygen tension with hemodilution appears to be explained by a lesser reduction in capillary than in systemic hematocrit, coupled with an increased capillary blood flow. The increase in tissue oxygen tension we observed could in part explain the clinically beneficial effects of hemodilution.