Plasma-mediated alterations of erythrocyte deformability by perfluorochemical blood substitutes.

The effect of perfluorochemical blood substitutes (eg, Oxypherol or Fluosol-DA) on red cell deformability was investigated because these emulsions are in direct contact with red cells when they are used as temporary circulatory aids. Erythrocyte deformability was assessed by a constant volumetric flow rate filtration method. The results of in vitro incubation experiments indicate that perfluorotributylamine causes the deformability of human red cells to decrease significantly in the presence of plasma. However, there is no obvious loss in the deformability when washed cells are used. Neither mean cell volume nor white cells appear to be responsible for the observed effects of perfluorotributylamine. Perfluorodecalin and perfluorotripropylamine, two perfluorochemical compounds that are widely applied clinically, do not induce significant changes in red cell deformability with or without plasma. These results indicate the need for in vitro testing in the development of perfluorochemicals as blood substitutes.