Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
The Quest for the Ultimate Blood Substitute
In the late 19th century, medical science was still trying to understand blood transfusion. A gynecologist named Theodore Gaillard Thomas had a bold idea. He suggested using milk as a substitute for blood. Even though Thomas’ efforts did not succeed, people have continued to look for a reliable blood substitute. This search continues because of the ongoing issues with blood supply and the serious effects of severe bleeding.
Today, the latest hope in this quest comes from a lab in downtown Baltimore. Here, a white rabbit is the test subject. Scientists are testing an experimental blood substitute called ErythroMer. Allan Doctor and his team at the University of Maryland (UMD) School of Medicine developed this substitute.
What is ErythroMer?
ErythroMer is a remarkable innovation. It is made from recycled human hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. ErythroMer is wrapped in a membrane to mimic a tiny cell. This engineered solution holds great promise. It can address the persistent challenges of blood supply. It can also help with the devastating consequences of severe bleeding.
Several factors create the need for blood substitutes. Donated blood only lasts 42 days. There is also a constant shortage of blood. This shortage exists even in developed countries with good blood donation systems. In the United States, the American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in January 2022. Their supply of blood, especially the universal O-negative type, became dangerously low.
Severe blood loss can lead to hemorrhagic shock. This is a serious health issue worldwide. It causes about 20,000 deaths each year in the U.S. and 2 million globally. Artificial blood might help solve this problem. It could be very useful where donated blood is hard to get or not available.
The U.S. military is very interested in making blood substitutes. It has spent $46 million on this research. They are developing HBOCs (Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers) like ErythroMer. These substitutes can be used in many places. They could save lives on battlefields. They could also help in emergencies, during medical procedures, and in places with limited resources.
Closing Remarks
The journey to create a usable blood substitute is both delicate and complex. We can see this in the white rabbit at the Baltimore laboratory. ErythroMer is a type of artificial blood. The rabbit’s heart rate and blood pressure stayed stable with ErythroMer. This gives hope for this technology’s future. However, making sure these new solutions are safe and effective is still a big job.
Researchers like Allan Doctor and his team are dedicated to finding the ultimate blood substitute. They work hard because there is a constant need for it. Medical science is always advancing. This progress makes the dream of a reliable and easy-to-get blood substitute more possible. If successful, it could change emergency and critical care medicine.
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