PolyHeme: are we ready for a blood substitute?
Optimal management of hemorrhage requires control of the site of bleeding. Adjunctive to this control is resuscitation. The optimal resuscitation product remains elusive. From many standpoints, fresh, warm, whole blood would be considered the best option. For many reasons, such products are not universally available. One potential blood substitute, PolyHeme has recently completed a Phase III clinical trial. The scientific foundations for the use of the product are described in this review as are some of the preliminary results and controversies. Ultimately, the role of PolyHeme will depend in a great deal on review of the results of the current study.
Geehan
Douglas M
DM
Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA. geehand@umkc.edu
D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods
D006454:Hemoglobins; C509893:PolyHeme