Currently, hemoglobin (Hb)-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are leading candidates as red blood cell substitutes. In addition, HBOCs are also potential oxygen therapeutics for treatment of patients with critical ischemic conditions due to atherosclerosis, diabetes and other conditions. This book will provide readers a comprehensive review of topics involved in the HBOC development. It focusses on current products and clinical applications as well as on emerging technologies and future prospects.

Brief historical account of HBOC development

Physiology of respiration
Oxygen transport to tissues
Pathophysiology of acute anemia
Global blood safety and need for safe blood supply
Blood transfusion and its limitations
Scientific basis and design of HBOCs
HBOCs: a regulatory perspective
Current HBOC products in development
Clinical indications and clinical trials of HBOCs
HBOCs and adverse events observed in clinical trials
HBOC-mediated vasoactivity and hypertension
HBOC and oxygen and nitrogen radical mediated toxicity
HBOCs and clinical laboratory interference
Animal models for HBOC studies
New emerging Technologies for universal RBCs
Future prospects.