Blood Substitutes with Gas Transfer Function.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) have been explored as potential blood substitutes.
• Development faced limitations hindering further progress.
• This review examines historical data and future possibilities for PFC-based blood substitutes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of blood substitutes based on perfluorocarbons.
• To identify limitations that suspended their advancement.
• To propose a pathway for creating optimal PFC-based drug formulations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of perfluorocarbon-based blood substitute research.
• Analysis of chemical properties and limitations of existing PFC compounds.
• Identification of requirements for effective emulsifiers and stabilizers.

Main Results:

• Perfluorocarbons offer potential as blood substitutes due to their oxygen-carrying capacity.
• Key limitations include chemical inactivity requirements and emulsion stability challenges.
• Chemically inert perfluorinated hydrocarbons and tertiary perfluorinated amines are identified as suitable core components.
• The need for novel, chemically indifferent surfactants for stable emulsion formation is highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Optimal blood substitutes can be developed using specific perfluorocarbons like hydrocarbons and amines.
• Further research into advanced, non-reactive surfactants is crucial for successful emulsion stabilization.
• This approach may overcome previous limitations and enable effective PFC-based drug development.