Clinical experience with Fluosol-DA.

In summary, we remain optimistic about the potential value of perfluorochemicals as acellular oxygen carriers. The results of our first patient show that at an FiO2 of 1.0, Fluosol-DA was not necessary. The oxygen content of the plasma alone was adequate, although the FiO2 was at an unsafe level. At the safe FiO2 of 0.6, however, the Fluosol-DA was needed, since the oxygen content of the plasma was inadequate. Fluosol-DA was thus necessary and effective. At an FiO2 = 0.6, the total of the oxygen content of plasma and the oxygen content of Fluosol-DA was adequate. Although these results are encouraging, the temporary nature of this benefit is an important limitation. We hope that the additional data from both our clinical study and the multicenter study will help resolve some of these questions in the future.