Currently research is being conducted to examine blood soluble drag-reducing polymers and their potential clinical applications. Such polymers may be used in substances such as artificial blood/transfusion fluids for critical care medicine, surgery and organ preservation, blood additive for improvement of microcirculation impaired by diabetes, atherosclerosis and sickle cell disease.

An all-purpose blood substitute that combines the high oxygen- carrying and nutrient supplement capabilities of natural blood with superior fluid properties is currently being developed and tested in vivo and in vitro. The long term goal of this research is to achieve maximal oxygen delivery with minimal concentration of the oxygen carrier via superior mechanical and physical properties resulting from the special drag-reducing components of the product.

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A program of the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center