Fluorocarbons: applications to cardiovascular surgery
Menasché, P.; Piwnica, A.
La Nouvelle Presse Medicale 11(30): 2289-2292
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1518 PMID: 7110991 Document Number: 190623
Fluorocarbons are synthetic compounds capable of dissolving large amounts of gases (O2, CO2, N2, CO). The current availability of stable O2- carrying emulsions delivering substantial volumes of this gas to perfused tissues makes it possible to extend the potential clinical use of perfluorochemicals. In cardiology, fluorocarbons have proven experimentally efficient during cardiopulmonary bypass as blood substitutes, in cardioplegic and reperfusion solutions and as agents designed to reduce the size of acute myocardial infarcts. However, a more thorough understanding of their long-term effects on cells is needed before their routine clinical use can be considered.