Blood substitutes in surgery.

BACKGROUND

Despite increasing safety of blood supplies, and blood conservation strategies, the need for blood transfusion is increasing. Due to storage characteristics, blood is not always available when it is needed.

AIMS

Review the necessity for an oxygen carrying blood substitute. Review the history of the compounds that may become blood substitutes, and briefly describe those in clinical trials.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Review of literature in the area of blood substitutes.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for oxygen carrying blood substitutes. Despite disappointments in recent clinical trials leading to withdraw of some compounds, there are several promising products nearing clinical approval.