Abstract: A system and software is described for calculating, in real-time, the mixed venous partial pressure of oxygen in a patient. The system uses a computer, an arterial pressure line and a blood chemistry monitor to assist a physician with an on-line system for accurately determining when to give a patient a blood transfusion or otherwise alter the clinical management of that patient.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for treating a patient in need of facilitated oxygen delivery through the lungs, additional lung surfactant, removal of material from inside the lung, or inflation of collapsed portions of the lung, comprising the step of introducing into the lung of the patient an effective therapeutic amount of a fluorocarbon liquid, the amount not exceeding the functional residual capacity of the lung of the patient upon exhalation taking into account any positive and expiratory pressure applied to the patient's lung. The method may also comprise the additional step of providing an oxygen-containing breathing gas to the patient while the fluorocarbon liquid is in the lung.

Abstract: A method for facilitating autologous blood use by a patient facing a loss of blood, comprising the steps of removing and preferably storing a portion of the patient's blood, intravenously administering a biocompatible liquid in sufficient quantity to substantially maintain the patient's hemodynamic stability, wherein the liquid comprises an effective oxygen-delivery enhancing amount of a biocompatible synthetic oxygen carrier, after which the patient undergoes a loss of blood, and then readministering blood to the patient, preferably the stored blood. In one embodiment, the biocompatible liquid further comprises a hemodiluent and the hemodiluent is administered separately from the oxygen carrier.

Abstract: A method for facilitating autologous blood use by a patient facing a loss of blood, comprising the steps of removing and preferably storing a portion of the patient's blood, intravenously administering a biocompatible liquid in sufficient quantity to substantially maintain the patient's hemodynamic stability, wherein the liquid comprises an effective oxygen-delivery enhancing amount of a biocompatible synthetic oxygen carrier, after which the patient undergoes a loss of blood, and then readministering blood to the patient, preferably the stored blood. In one embodiment, the biocompatible liquid further comprises a hemodiluent and the hemodiluent is administered separately from the oxygen carrier.