Perfluorocarbon emulsion (oxygen carrier) (PFC emulsion)

Perfluorocarbon emulsions are synthetic, biochemically inert, halogenated-carbon liquids formed into emulsions for intravenous administration, designed to transport and deliver oxygen to tissues in situations of hypoxia, ischemia, or where blood substitutes are needed. Owing to their high oxygen solubility, these emulsions can carry and release oxygen by simple diffusion, independent of hemoglobin. Clinically, several PFC emulsions (e.g., Fluosol-DA, Perftoran, Oxygent) have been studied or used as blood substitutes, anti-ischemic agents, or imaging contrast medias, but none is a molecular target for small-molecule or biologic agents. Instead, they function as a therapeutic delivery system rather than a biological target.

Other names

Perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carrierartificial oxygen carrierPFCsperfluorocarbon blood substituteemulsion-based oxygen therapeutic

Mechanically dissolve and carry large quantities of oxygen; upon injection, PFC droplets absorb oxygen in the lungs, transport it through the circulation, and release it into hypoxic tissues via diffusion gradients