High predictive value of red cell volume measurement using carboxy haemoglobin in a rabbit model of haemorrhage

We have studied the accuracy of blood volume measurements using carbon monoxide (CO)labelled haemoglobin (COHb) injection and dilution (CO method) by comparing changes in red cell volume (RCV) measured using the CO method and Cr-51-labelled erythrocyte dilution (Cr-51 method) in a haemorrhage and infusion model in rabbits. RCV was measured repeatedly using the CO method at four different blood volume stages (stages I-IV). At stages I and IV, RCV was measured simultaneously using the Cr-51 method. In comparing the sum of the circulating RCV and extracted RCV (SUM RCV) using the CO method, the values were almost equal and there were no significant differences between the values at the four stages. In comparing circulating RCV measured using the CO method and the Cr-51 method, mean difference between the two methods was 0.80 (SD 0.76) mi kg(-1) or 4.7 (4.6)%, and a positive correlation was observed (r=0.91). We conclude that the CO method can be used to measure blood volume during perioperative periods in infants because it avoids use of a radioactive tracer, is simple and repeated measurements are possible.