Perfluorocarbon enhancement of heterologous red cell survival: a reticuloendothelial block effect?

The intravascular survival of human erythrocytes transfused to primate animals was prolonged by infusing the recipients with a perfluorocarbon red cell substitute (Fluosol DA). This effect is probably due to transient block of the animals' reticuloendothelial system by the perfluorocarbon emulsion. Perfluorocarbon compounds could be used to study the role of reticuloendothelial function in the immune destruction of red cells.