Book excerpt: This book functions as a comprehensive and authoritative reference book in blood transfusion and blood substitutes. It is a collection of the latest developments and the newest investigations, and individual chapters are written by world experts in the arena. The book begins with a historical review on the practice of transfusions as well as the components and physiology of blood. The following chapters cover various topics, including platelet substitutes, hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers, perfluorocarbon based oxygen carriers, and safety issues related to artificial hemoglobin. All chapters provide a bulleted highlights list to facilitate readers in mastering the main points of each individual chapter. Blood Substitutes and Oxygen Biotherapeutics is an invaluable reference book for perioperative care providers, hematologists, anesthesiologists, surgeons, obstetricians and gynecologists.