Potential Battlefield
Use
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The Department of Defense and all branches
of the military have had a long-standing interest in the
successful development of a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier
(HBOC) to serve as a red blood cell substitute. The ideal
properties of an HBOC for military use include:
- Universal compatibility
- Long-term storage
capability
- Reduction of disease transmission
- Safety during rapid,
massive infusion
- The ability to support life in humans
in the virtual absence of any of the patient’s
own red blood cells
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Northfield’s collaboration with the U.S. Army
dates back to 1969. We are currently exploring the potential use
of PolyHeme® in patients in shock in remote battlefield settings,
where red blood cells are not available. In such circumstances,
PolyHeme® has the potential to simplify and facilitate the
early treatment of such urgent blood loss by permitting immediate,
rapid, and simultaneous replacement of the lost volume and hemoglobin
that occurs with hemorrhage.
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