A review with referencesThe use of perfluorocarbons in medicine has been the subject of much research over the past 30 yr.Recent technol. progress in second generation oxygen transport products has solved many of the problems of Fluosol DA including PFC concentration, elimination of surfactant side effects and improved storage stability.Some side effects, most notably, thrombocytopenia and flu-like symptoms still remain to be solved.Two new oxygen transport formulations, Oxyfluor and Oxygent are in clin. trials at this time.Several applications of PFCs have been approved for use by the FDA but have languished in the market place.Other applications such as cancer therapy, ultrasound contrast and direct F MR imaging continue to show promise.