Blood Substitutes

The development of a substitute for transfused red blood cells is a highly sought-after goal. Such products would be potentially safer then human (allogeneic) blood because they would eliminate the possibility of transmitting infectious agents such as HIV. In addition, red cell substitutes will revolutionize the practice of transfusion medicine: they will eliminate the need for cross-matching and could lead to an overhaul of current blood bank operations because they may be more stable and thus easier to store than blood. Currently, the fundamental obstacle to overcome before reaching this ambitious goal appears to be a lack of understanding of the way in which cell-free oxygen carriers transport oxygen, and the consequent implications for clinical trials and eventual approval of new products. This volume is a collection of essays by authorities in a wide range of fields, each bringing a different focus on the problem.