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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 June 2012
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs), which are also known as fluorocarbons or perfluorocarbons, are chemical substances having a high solubility for respiratory gases. At 37 degrees Centigrade pure PFCs can dissolve very large quantities of oxygen and in some instances this may amount to as much as 50 volumes %. These substances are however immiscible with blood and if introduced into the circulation in an unmodified form could cause embolic phenomena. In order to be of use as oxygen carrying blood substitutes, they are therefore emulsified in a solution containing glucose, electrolytes and an osmotic agent.