Acellular resuscitative compounds

There exists a need for a safer efficacious emergency blood substitute for human use when whole blood is unavailable. This substitute should provide an acceptable volume expansion as well as tissue oxygenation delivery without requiring oxygen-enriched mixtures. It would be advantageous if this material could be stored at room temperature in a dehydrated state for prolonged periods of time. During the past several years, it has been possible to achieve these goals using modified hydroxyethyl starches complexed with stabilized hemoglobins. Here, the authors discuss: (1) The synthesis of a modified hydroxyethyl starch to an aldehyde polymer; (2) Two methods to stabilize the tetramers of hemoglobin; (3) The synthesis of polymer-hemoglobin resuscitative compounds. The ultimate goal of this investigation is a personalized blood service in which one would donate one's own blood, have it converted to an acellular compound, and carry it with one in freeze-dried form. It would be ready for use in any emergency just by reconstituting with water.