Guidelines for Setting Up Blood Storage Centres - NRHM Tripura

compounds in which all hydrogen atoms have been • Another potential use related to PFCs small size,
replaced by fluorine atoms.
which enables the suspension to penetrate
• They are chemically inert.
occluded vessels in situations such as cerebral
• Resistant to thermal and radiation damage.
ischemia or myocardial infarction.
• Can be solid, liquid and gases. Disadvantages
• High solubility of gases is a major reason for their • PFCs do not preferentially extract oxygen from
current biological use.
air as haemoglobin does, so oxygen level in a
• For use as blood substitute preparation, PFCs perflourocarbon solution equilibrates with
that are liquid are preferred.
oxygen level in the atmosphere. Thus
• PFC solution can dissolve 40% to 70% oxygen concurrent administration of 60-100% oxygen
per unit volume, almost three times the oxygen is a must with PFC administration.
carrying capacity of blood.
• They are instable in emulsified state and hence
• They do not carry carbon monoxide and can be need to be frozen.
given to patients of CO poisoning till abnormal • Its third and serious disadvantage is that it is
red cells are replaced.
retained in the liver and spleen.
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