A perfluorochemical emulsion as an oxygen carrier.

Fluosol-DA 20%, a perfluorochemical emulsion consisting of 7 parts perfluorodecalin (FDC) and 3 parts perfluorotripropylamine (FTPA), has been used as an oxygen carrier in clinical studies. The emulsion, however, must be stored frozen because it is not stable for long in a liquid state. To increase the stability of perfluorochemical emulsions, a series of experiments on stability, elimination, and toxicity were conducted on different perfluorochemicals. F-4-Methyloctahydroquinolidizine (FMOQ) was selected as the best material. The tissue half-life of FMOQ in rats was estimated to be 7 days, which is the same as that of FDC, a perfluorochemical in Fluosol-DA 20%. FMOQ emulsified with a mixture of yolk phospholipid and Pluronic F-68 was stable at 4 degrees C for 6 months. Rats exchange-transfused to a hematocrit of 4% with this emulsion survived for 13 weeks.