Abstract
In 1966 CLARK discovered that animals breathing certain perfluorinated liquids can transfer enough oxygen and carbon dioxide to sustain life [Science 152: 1755, 1966]. This suggested that these liquids may serve as valuable intravascular gas transport agents. Inert organic compounds having a high oxygen and carbon dioxide solubility were emulsified by intense sonication in the presence of surfactants to produce opalescent liquids having metabolic gas transport capabilities resembling whole blood. During intravenous infusion and ventilation with O2 the mixed venous pO2 rose to between 150 and 300 mm Hg while the arterial pCO2 and pH were normal. A fourfold increase in brain oxygen cathode current was demonstrable. The increase in mixed venous pO2 was initially related to the fluorocarbon content of the circulating blood. Since dogs survived in apparent good health these preparations may ultimately be used as a blood substitute or for organ preservation. (Supported in part by NIH HE-12419.)
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Clark, L., Kaplan, S. & Becattini, F. Fluorocarbon Emulsions as a Blood Substitute. Pediatr Res 4, 464 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197009000-00120
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197009000-00120
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