Blood substitutes: fluids, drugs, or miracle solutions?

Dietz, N M; Joyner, M J; Warner, M A · Anesth Analg · 1996

review · Level V

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Abstract

Oxygen-carrying volume-expanding solutions that can sustain life in the absence of red blood cells have been developed. Concerns about side effects, sources of hemoglobin, and the ultimate demonstration of efficacy will have to be satisfactorily addressed before anesthesiologists routinely administer such solutions in place of red cells during surgery.

Medical subject headings