Would the use of HbF as a potential therapy in this patient be successful?

A 15–year old girl with cystic fibrosis is rushed to the hospital for an acute respiratory infection and
suspected pneumonia. The admission chest x–ray showed extensive bronchiectasis and persistent
complete atelectasis in the lower left lobe. Despite aggressive therapy including IV antibiotics, the
patient’s pulmonary function remained poor and level of consciousness was diminished with no verbal
responses but eyes open to voice. Sputum samples were collected via airway suctioning, arterial blood
gasses were drawn and pH was determined to be 7.32 (normal pH: 7.4).
As a radical therapy for this patient an infusion of fetal hemoglobin is suggested to potentially increase
oxygen perfusion. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has different oxygen binding kinetics when compared to the
oxygen binding displayed by adult hemoglobin (illustrated below). This difference is in part due to the
inability of HbF to interact with 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate (2,3 BPG).
Based on this information, and the binding kinetics illustrated below, would the use of HbF as a potential
therapy in this patient be successful?