The concept of surviving without blood might seem extraordinary, but groundbreaking research conducted in the 1950s and later published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery in 1959 made it a reality. Known as the “Life Without Blood” study, this experiment demonstrated how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) could sustain life even without red blood cells. Moreover, this groundbreaking discovery has had a lasting impact on medicine and trauma care.
In 1956, Dr. Ite Boerema and his team began a pioneering experiment to explore whether life could be sustained without blood using hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The study focused on pigs due to their physiological similarities to humans, making them ideal test subjects for medical research.
The procedure involved removing nearly 90% of the pigs’ blood and replacing it with a saline solution. Normally, such drastic blood loss would lead to death within minutes due to insufficient oxygen delivery to vital organs. However, the researchers aimed to counteract this by utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
How HBOT Sustained Life Without Blood
Inside a hyperbaric chamber, the pigs were exposed to 100% oxygen under high atmospheric pressure. Consequently, this pressurized environment dissolved oxygen directly into the pigs’ plasma and bodily fluids, bypassing the need for red blood cells. The oxygen-saturated fluids then carried life-sustaining oxygen to the organs and tissues.
The results were astonishing. Despite their severely reduced blood volume, the pigs survived for hours in the chamber. They remained alert and showed no signs of organ failure, proving that HBOT could temporarily replace the role of red blood cells in oxygen transport.
The findings from this groundbreaking study were published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery in 1959. By that time, the research had already captured the attention of the medical community, marking a pivotal moment in the history of hyperbaric medicine. It showcased HBOT’s potential not only for trauma care but also for advancing surgical techniques and emergency medicine.
Implications for Modern Medicine
The “Life Without Blood” study paved the way for many applications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including:
- Emergency Trauma Care: Providing life support during severe blood loss when transfusions are unavailable.
- Surgical Innovations: Enabling safer procedures requiring temporary blood removal.
- Trauma Recovery: Reducing complications in patients with severe blood loss.
Conclusion: HBOT Then and Now
The “Life Without Blood” experiment demonstrated the incredible potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy over 60 years ago. Furthermore, as one of the most cited papers in all of hyperbarics, it revolutionized how medical professionals view oxygen delivery and trauma care. Today, HBOT continues to save lives, further emphasizing its lasting legacy in medicine and its crucial role in modern healthcare.
Source: Life Without Blood (A study of the influence of high atmospheric pressure and hypothermia on dilution of the blood) | I. Boerema, N.G. Meyne, W. K. Brummelkamp, S. Bouma, M. H. Mensch, F. Kamermans, M. Stern Hanf, and W. Van Aalderen (from the Surgical Department of the University of Amsterdam) | J Cardiovasc Surg 1959; 13: 133-146 | PMID: 13802034