Artificial oxygen carriers
IOC bans the use of artificial oxygen carriers
January 1, 2000
For the first time since January 1, 2000, the IOC Medical Commission has banned the use of artificial oxygen carriers.
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs):
PFCs refer to a group of substances known as perfluorocarbons (abbreviation PFC). These are perfluorinated hydrocarbons such as perfluorodecalin, perfluorotripropylamine, or perfluorooctyl bromide.
Perfluorocarbons bind oxygen with high affinity and can thus take over the function of red blood cells. However, they do not mix with water and are therefore used as an emulsion with phospholipids. Due to their high viscosity, they are infused as a diluted solution (e.g., 20%). Patients receiving PFCs are therefore ventilated with 80–100% oxygen to ensure oxygen saturation comparable to that achieved with erythrocytes.
Cross-linked or polymerized hemoglobin:
With cross-linked or polymerized hemoglobin, the actual oxygen carrier—hemoglobin—is injected into the blood independently of red blood cells (erythrocytes). This increases the blood’s total capacity to bind oxygen. Since maximum oxygen uptake—a performance-limiting factor in endurance sports—is increased by the use of cross-linked hemoglobin, similar performance gains can be expected as with the use of EPO.
In 2000, Hemopure (a polymerized hemoglobin) was under development in the United States by Biopure Corporation www.biopure.com for use in human medicine. The same company had already developed a similar preparation (Oxyglobin) for veterinary use.
Further information: