Based on a belief that increased brain oxygen levels would prove beneficial in the TBI patient, it is theorized that perfluorocarbon-enhanced oxygen delivery may provide the same or greater benefit. PFCs are especially attractive in this setting for several reasons; first, because they transport oxygen without the need for erythrocytes and hemoglobin and can thus perfuse and oxygenate "peri-contusional" brain tissue in which it has been shown that capillaries are so narrowed as to impede red blood cell (RBC) transport; secondly, perfluorocarbon (PFCs) actually increase oxygen transport and oxygen tension in the tissues, which cannot be achieved with normobaric hyperoxia alone.