<unk> , often called artificial<unk> , are used to fill fluid volume and/or carry oxygen and other<unk>  gases in the cardiovascular system. Although commonly used, the term is not accurate since human<unk>  performs many important functions. Red<unk>  cells transport oxygen, white<unk>  cells defend against disease, platelets promote clotting, and plasma proteins provide various functions. The preferred and more accurate terms are volume expanders for inert products, and oxygen therapeutics for oxygen-carrying products. Examples of these two<unk> <unk>  categories:
Volume expanders: inert and merely increase<unk>  volume. These may be crystalloid-based (Ringer's lactate, normal saline, D5W (dextrose 5% in water)) or colloid-based (Haemaccel, [[Gelofusin).
Oxygen therapeutics: mimic human<unk> 's oxygen transport ability. Examples: Hemopure, Oxygent, PolyHeme.
Oxygen therapeutics are in turn broken into two categories based on transport mechanism: perfluorocarbon based, and hemoglobin based.
Volume expanders are widely available and are used in both hospitals and first response situations by paramedics and emergency medical technicians. Oxygen therapeutics are in clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe, however Hemopure is more widely available in South Africa.
Artificial<unk>  is also often used in movies.
Blood substitutes
Transfusion medicine
Steroid
Fluid
Antibiotic
Hemostatic agent
Radionuclide
Analgesic