| abstract |
New blood substitutes are described having osmolarities greater than normal blood. The new blood substitues typically comprise a physiologically acceptable fluid electrolyte solution, a physiologically acceptable agent capable of increasing the osmolarity of the blood substitute to a value greater than normal blood, an oxygen carrying substance, and a sufficient amount of water to achieve the desired osmolarity. The blood substitutes of the present invention have osmolarities in the range of 500-800 milliosmoles per liter. |