Red blood cell substitutes are a group of oxygen carriers designed to temporarily replace transfused blood. Current developing products include perfluorocarbon-based and hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier. Each product is unique in its limitations and advantages. A number of products are in advanced clinical trials and nearing market. When they are available for use it is likely that development will accelerate and even better products will substantially alleviate the world-wide shortage of blood for transfusion.
Blood Substitutes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fluorocarbons ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hemoglobins ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use