Synthetic oxygen transport fluids based on perfluorochemicals: applications in medicine and biology.

Recent advances in the development and assessment of synthetic oxygen transport fluids based on perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are reviewed. The basic properties of PFCs are outlined, together with the selection criteria for biomedical applications. PFCs must be emulsified for intravascular use and attention is focussed on the formulation and biocompatibility testing of both first- and second-generation emulsions and their components in man and other species. The multidisciplinary applications for PFCs in medicine and basic biomedical research are described, including the clinical use of Fluosol-DA 20% as an oxygen-carrying perfusate in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.