Immediate effects of systemic administration of normal and high O-affinity haemoglobin vesicles as a transfusion alternative in a rat pneumonectomy model.

Background: Haemoglobin vesicles (HbVs) are red blood cell (RBC) substitutes with a phospholipid bilayer membrane and a polyethylene modified surface (diameter=250 nm; P=28 Torr). They can be preserved for years and can be used in patients of all blood types without the risk of infection. Their oxygen affinity can be modified by changing the allosteric effectors.