nonblood

Nonblood is a term used to describe materials, products, or tissues that do not contain or derive from blood. In medical contexts, it is often applied to blood substitutes or alternatives intended to perform or support functions normally provided by donor blood, such as oxygen transport or volume expansion.

In transfusion medicine, nonblood substitutes include hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and perfluorocarbon-based emulsions. Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers aim to deliver oxygen to tissues without using whole blood, while perfluorocarbon emulsions dissolve and transport gases. These approaches have been researched to address blood shortages and infectious disease concerns, but development has faced safety, efficacy, and regulatory hurdles. As a result, nonblood products have not achieved widespread replacement of donor blood and are typically used only in specific clinical scenarios or research settings.

In surgical practice, nonblood strategies also encompass techniques designed to minimize blood loss, such as meticulous hemostasis, controlled hypotension, and the use of volume expanders or autologous components when appropriate. The overarching goal of nonblood approaches is to reduce reliance on transfusions while maintaining patient safety.

Regulatory and ethical considerations accompany nonblood technologies, including rigorous testing for safety, potential adverse effects, and long-term outcomes. Ongoing research continues to refine candidate products, balance risks and benefits, and address manufacturing, storage, and deployment challenges.

See also: blood substitute, oxygen carrier, perfluorocarbon, hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, transfusion medicine.