Perfluorocarbon emulsions: one approach to intravenous artificial respiratory gas transport.

The PFC emulsions have had a developmental history of promise as yet unfulfilled. Today, second-generation PFC emulsions are poised with the right gas-carrying capabilities to be able to make significant contributions to oxygen transport and delivery. The dream of stable, safe, easily transportable intravenous fluid, with universal rapid application is not yet at hand. However, we appear to be a great deal closer than in the mid 1980s. If these 40% volume-to-volume emulsions prove safe, then an entirely new realm of therapeutic options will become available. Not only will the uses for trauma and acute blood loss replacement become a reality, but extremes of euvolemic hemodilution may become possible. The use of these compounds for prevention of stroke, ischemic organ salvage, and prevention of air embolism or decompression sickness are particularly exciting. It is clear from the recent developments in PFC technology that some product will come to market in the not-too-distant future. How such a PFC will be utilized as compared with hemoglobin preparations is yet to be discerned, but the two concepts are quite different. Each will have its own specific indications.