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Review
. 2023 Dec 1;69(12):1039-1048.
doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000002017. Epub 2023 Aug 7.

Perfluorocarbons in Research and Clinical Practice: A Narrative Review

Giulia Nocentini  1 , Graeme MacLaren  2 , Robert Bartlett  3 , Daniele De Luca  4   5 , Salvatore Perdichizzi  6 , Francesca Stoppa  6 , Marco Marano  6 , Corrado Cecchetti  6 , Daniele G Biasucci  7 , Angelo Polito  8 , Abdullah AlGhobaishi  9 , Yit Guner  10 , Sharada H Gowda  11 , Ronald B Hirschl  12 , Matteo Di Nardo  6
Affiliations
Review

Perfluorocarbons in Research and Clinical Practice: A Narrative Review

Giulia Nocentini et al. ASAIO J. .

Abstract

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are organic liquids derived from hydrocarbons in which some of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by fluorine atoms. They are chemically and biologically inert substances with a good safety profile. They are stable at room temperature, easy to store, and immiscible in water. Perfluorocarbons have been studied in biomedical research since 1960 for their unique properties as oxygen carriers. In particular, PFCs have been used for liquid ventilation in unusual environments such as deep-sea diving and simulations of zero gravity, and more recently for drug delivery and diagnostic imaging. Additionally, when delivered as emulsions, PFCs have been used as red blood cell substitutes. This narrative review will discuss the multifaceted utilization of PFCs in therapeutics, diagnostics, and research. We will specifically emphasize the potential role of PFCs as red blood cell substitutes, as airway mechanotransducers during artificial placenta procedures, as a means to improve donor organ perfusion during the ex vivo assessment, and as an adjunct in cancer therapies because of their ability to reduce local tissue hypoxia.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03041740.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: M.D.N. is an advisory board member for Eurosets, Medolla Modena, Italy. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

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Associated data