Reasonable Rascal
10-25-03, 13:39
Okay, not exactly low tech but it does offer opportunities for remote situations if it pans out as advertised.
RR
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http://www.nationalpost.com/home/story.html?id=5104C6CE-D700-434C-B654-6404EC491E12
'Like landing on moon'
Brad Evenson
National Post
Friday, October 24, 2003
In a medical first, doctors in Sweden have successfully used artificial blood to treat patients.
The product is a powder made from blood that has been stored for more than six weeks and can not be used for transfusion.
"If this really works all the way, then mankind will have taken a big step forward," Dr. Pierre LaFolie, chief physician at Karolinska Hospital, said on Swedish radio yesterday. "This is like landing on the moon."
The substance, called Hemospan, would reduce the critical shortages of blood needed for emergency transfusions. The powder can be mixed into liquid when required, and transfused into patients regardless of their blood type.
It could also be derived from the blood of any mammal, greatly expanding the sources of transfusion. And the substance appears to ferry oxygen to the body better than real blood. This can prevent damage to the brain and heart during a heart attack.
Dr. LaFolie said Hemospan could save time in an accident, since no blood typing would be required. "In acute situations time is of the essence, within an hour all these things have to be done," he said. "That's why I think this artificial blood is so important for people."
Experts warn blood donations will still be urgently needed to make such medical products as plasma and platelets.
"The problem is, not enough people give blood," said Ross MacGillivray, Uirector of the University of British Columbia Centre for Blood Research.
"The science is great," Mr. MacGillivray said. "But we run the danger of losing donors who think they don't have to give blood anymore."
Companies have been racing for years to develop a safe alternative to whole blood, which can transmit harmful viruses such as hepatitis C or HIV or be rejected by the recipient's immune system.
An estimated 70% of patients who get transfusions of red blood cells could be candidates for such synthetic agents.
"Careful preparations are required today before a patient can be given a blood transfusion," said Bengt Fagrell, the lead researcher.
"The right blood type must be secured through control and cross testing. But no matter how stringent the controls are, there is still a risk that unwarranted substances will be transmitted during the transfer."
Dr. Fagrell said there has been no sign the artificial blood would be rejected. "This is a molecule that the body's immune system gladly welcomes," he said.
Made by Sangart Inc. of San Diego, Calif., Hemospan is a modified form of human hemoglobin, a molecule that transports oxygen throughout the body. It is believed hemoglobin can cause ill effects when set loose in the bloodstream. But Hemospan surrounds the hemoglobin in a protective shield of polyethylene glycol, a material commonly used in medical treatment.
So far, other blood substitutes on the market have been plagued by side effects, especially high blood pressure and nausea.
Dr. Fagrell said patients in the Swedish trial had no ill effects.
The clinical trial was conducted between April and May, 2002, at the famed Stockholm hospital. Dr. LaFolie said the 12 healthy volunteers were undergoing orthopedic surgeries, such as knee replacements, when they were transfused. The findings were announced at the opening of a new clinical research institute, an event attended by members of the Swedish royal family.
Dr. Fagrell said the patients were given Hemospan made out of human red blood cells. But he said red blood cells from any mammal could be used.
"We have chosen to use human blood for ethical reasons," said Dr. Fagrell, who is a consultant to Sangart Inc.
"But we could use blood within the entire mammal chain, such as cow blood."
Last year, Canadians donated more than 800,000 units of blood. Canadian Blood Services said only 3.5% of eligible donors gave blood. It is conducting a national ad campaign to raise this number to 5%. Donors should call 1-888-2-DONATE (366283).
bevenson@nationalpost.com
RR
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http://www.nationalpost.com/home/story.html?id=5104C6CE-D700-434C-B654-6404EC491E12
'Like landing on moon'
Brad Evenson
National Post
Friday, October 24, 2003
In a medical first, doctors in Sweden have successfully used artificial blood to treat patients.
The product is a powder made from blood that has been stored for more than six weeks and can not be used for transfusion.
"If this really works all the way, then mankind will have taken a big step forward," Dr. Pierre LaFolie, chief physician at Karolinska Hospital, said on Swedish radio yesterday. "This is like landing on the moon."
The substance, called Hemospan, would reduce the critical shortages of blood needed for emergency transfusions. The powder can be mixed into liquid when required, and transfused into patients regardless of their blood type.
It could also be derived from the blood of any mammal, greatly expanding the sources of transfusion. And the substance appears to ferry oxygen to the body better than real blood. This can prevent damage to the brain and heart during a heart attack.
Dr. LaFolie said Hemospan could save time in an accident, since no blood typing would be required. "In acute situations time is of the essence, within an hour all these things have to be done," he said. "That's why I think this artificial blood is so important for people."
Experts warn blood donations will still be urgently needed to make such medical products as plasma and platelets.
"The problem is, not enough people give blood," said Ross MacGillivray, Uirector of the University of British Columbia Centre for Blood Research.
"The science is great," Mr. MacGillivray said. "But we run the danger of losing donors who think they don't have to give blood anymore."
Companies have been racing for years to develop a safe alternative to whole blood, which can transmit harmful viruses such as hepatitis C or HIV or be rejected by the recipient's immune system.
An estimated 70% of patients who get transfusions of red blood cells could be candidates for such synthetic agents.
"Careful preparations are required today before a patient can be given a blood transfusion," said Bengt Fagrell, the lead researcher.
"The right blood type must be secured through control and cross testing. But no matter how stringent the controls are, there is still a risk that unwarranted substances will be transmitted during the transfer."
Dr. Fagrell said there has been no sign the artificial blood would be rejected. "This is a molecule that the body's immune system gladly welcomes," he said.
Made by Sangart Inc. of San Diego, Calif., Hemospan is a modified form of human hemoglobin, a molecule that transports oxygen throughout the body. It is believed hemoglobin can cause ill effects when set loose in the bloodstream. But Hemospan surrounds the hemoglobin in a protective shield of polyethylene glycol, a material commonly used in medical treatment.
So far, other blood substitutes on the market have been plagued by side effects, especially high blood pressure and nausea.
Dr. Fagrell said patients in the Swedish trial had no ill effects.
The clinical trial was conducted between April and May, 2002, at the famed Stockholm hospital. Dr. LaFolie said the 12 healthy volunteers were undergoing orthopedic surgeries, such as knee replacements, when they were transfused. The findings were announced at the opening of a new clinical research institute, an event attended by members of the Swedish royal family.
Dr. Fagrell said the patients were given Hemospan made out of human red blood cells. But he said red blood cells from any mammal could be used.
"We have chosen to use human blood for ethical reasons," said Dr. Fagrell, who is a consultant to Sangart Inc.
"But we could use blood within the entire mammal chain, such as cow blood."
Last year, Canadians donated more than 800,000 units of blood. Canadian Blood Services said only 3.5% of eligible donors gave blood. It is conducting a national ad campaign to raise this number to 5%. Donors should call 1-888-2-DONATE (366283).
bevenson@nationalpost.com