Emergency Responders Should Carry Blood Products
|
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 27 Sep 2015 |
|
A new study suggests that emergency first responders ought to carry blood products in order to significantly improve trauma patients’ chances of survival.
Researchers at the UK Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl; Porton Down, United Kingdom), Queen Mary, University of London (United Kingdom), and the Royal Center for Defense Medicine (RCDM; Birmingham, United Kingdom) conducted a study to compare the potential impact of emergency resuscitation using combined packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma (PRBCs:FFP) at a 1:1 ratio; PRBCs alone; or standard of care 0.9% saline during severe injury.
To do so, 24 terminally anesthetized pigs received a controlled soft tissue injury and controlled hemorrhage of 35% of their blood volume, followed by a 30 minute shock phase. The animals were then allocated randomly to three treatment groups during a simulated prehospital evacuation phase. The first group were allocated to hypotensive resuscitation using 0.9% saline, the second to PRBCs:FFP, and the third to PRBCs alone. Following this phase, in-hospital resuscitation to a normotensive systolic blood pressure target of 110 mmHg using PRBCs:FFP was performed in all three groups.
The results showed that considerable coagulopathy developed in the first group, which persisted for 60–90 minutes into the in-hospital phase. The coagulopathy was significantly reduced in groups 2 and 3, but not significantly different from each other. Finally, the volumes of resuscitation fluid required was significantly greater in group 1, compared with groups 2 and 3; this difference was principally due to the greater volume of saline used in group 1. The study was published in the August 2015 issue of Shock.
“Badly injured people often lose the ability to form a blood clot properly, just when they need it most,” said senior author Emrys Kirkman, MD, principal scientist at Dstl. “Our research provides the scientific foundation for the premise that giving blood products before seriously injured patients reach hospital could help save lives, as it improves the ability to form blood clots.”
In 2008 the medical evacuation response team in Afghanistan started carrying blood products to injured personnel on the frontline, thanks to the development of special refrigeration units on the Chinook helicopters. The emergency care procedure, among other measures, has been credited with saving a number of lives in Afghanistan. It could also have an impact for civilian first responders,, but currently only a few air ambulance services in the UK have the mandate, staff, and systems required to carry blood products.
Related Links:
UK Defense Science and Technology Laboratory
Queen Mary, University of London
Royal Center for Defense Medicine
Researchers at the UK Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl; Porton Down, United Kingdom), Queen Mary, University of London (United Kingdom), and the Royal Center for Defense Medicine (RCDM; Birmingham, United Kingdom) conducted a study to compare the potential impact of emergency resuscitation using combined packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma (PRBCs:FFP) at a 1:1 ratio; PRBCs alone; or standard of care 0.9% saline during severe injury.
To do so, 24 terminally anesthetized pigs received a controlled soft tissue injury and controlled hemorrhage of 35% of their blood volume, followed by a 30 minute shock phase. The animals were then allocated randomly to three treatment groups during a simulated prehospital evacuation phase. The first group were allocated to hypotensive resuscitation using 0.9% saline, the second to PRBCs:FFP, and the third to PRBCs alone. Following this phase, in-hospital resuscitation to a normotensive systolic blood pressure target of 110 mmHg using PRBCs:FFP was performed in all three groups.
The results showed that considerable coagulopathy developed in the first group, which persisted for 60–90 minutes into the in-hospital phase. The coagulopathy was significantly reduced in groups 2 and 3, but not significantly different from each other. Finally, the volumes of resuscitation fluid required was significantly greater in group 1, compared with groups 2 and 3; this difference was principally due to the greater volume of saline used in group 1. The study was published in the August 2015 issue of Shock.
“Badly injured people often lose the ability to form a blood clot properly, just when they need it most,” said senior author Emrys Kirkman, MD, principal scientist at Dstl. “Our research provides the scientific foundation for the premise that giving blood products before seriously injured patients reach hospital could help save lives, as it improves the ability to form blood clots.”
In 2008 the medical evacuation response team in Afghanistan started carrying blood products to injured personnel on the frontline, thanks to the development of special refrigeration units on the Chinook helicopters. The emergency care procedure, among other measures, has been credited with saving a number of lives in Afghanistan. It could also have an impact for civilian first responders,, but currently only a few air ambulance services in the UK have the mandate, staff, and systems required to carry blood products.
Related Links:
UK Defense Science and Technology Laboratory
Queen Mary, University of London
Royal Center for Defense Medicine
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
Gold Member
Handheld Blood Glucose Analyzer
STAT-Site
Surgical System
Stealth AXiS
Multi-Chamber Washer-Disinfector
WD 390
Latest Critical Care News
- Inhaled Analgesic Matches Morphine for Prehospital Trauma Pain
- FDA Clears Tongue-Applied Neuromodulation System for Stroke Gait Rehabilitation
- Eye Test May Predict Return of Consciousness After Severe Brain Injury
- Medical Drone Program Improves Blood Access and Patient Survival
- AI System Enables Real-Time Sepsis Quality Assessment and Improves Adherence
- AI Detects Hidden ECG Marker of Sudden Cardiac Death
- FDA-Cleared AI Wearable Monitor Detects Opioid-Related Respiratory Risk in Hospitals
- Mitral Valve Repair Device Receives EU Approval for Functional Regurgitation
- AI Risk Score Reveals Hidden Hypertension-Related Organ Damage
- AI Tool Predicts Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Risk in Preterm Infants
- Optical Brain Monitoring Predicts Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants
- AI Tool Identifies Children With Pneumonia Requiring Hospital Care
- AI Ultrasound System Improves Safety of Blood–Brain Barrier Opening
- CE-Marked Smartphone AI Enables Autonomous Skin Cancer Assessment at Point of Care
- Handheld Optical Device Screens for Early Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants
- Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Linked to Fewer Cardiovascular Events
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channel
AI Trends Report Guides Responsible, Effective Healthcare Deployment
Hospitals are under growing pressure to adopt artificial intelligence tools that improve safety, efficiency, and continuity of care without compromising quality. At the same time, clinicians need clearer... Read more
Privacy-Preserving AI Protects Sensitive Information in ECG Data
Artificial intelligence applied to electrocardiography can extract more than cardiac rhythm. Algorithms can infer age, sex, race, and even identity from electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, creating privacy... Read more
Surgical Techniques
view channel
Aortic Arch Remodeling Device Improves Type I Dissection Repair
Acute DeBakey Type I aortic dissection is an emergent tear of the ascending aorta that can extend into the arch and descending thoracic aorta. Rapid ischemic complications and high early mortality make... Read more
Intravesical CAR T Therapy Shows Promise for Bladder Cancer Treatment
Bladder cancer is common and frequently recurs after initial therapy, exposing patients to repeated procedures and cumulative toxicity. High‑risk disease often progresses despite intravesical drugs or... Read more
Patient Care
view channel
AI Avatar Doctor Improves Patient Understanding Before Radiotherapy
Radiation oncology consultations require patients to grasp complex concepts quickly, yet anxiety and information overload often undermine understanding and informed consent. Poor comprehension can also... Read more
Wearable Sleep Data Predict Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung disorder that makes breathing difficult and often disturbs sleep, reducing energy for daily activities. Limited engagement in pulmonary... Read more
Health IT
view channel
Digital Heart Model Supports Targeted Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is an erratic, quivering heartbeat and a leading cause of stroke. Catheter ablation is widely used to interrupt arrhythmogenic tissue, yet many patients—especially with persistent ... Read more
AI Framework Helps Clinicians Create Trustworthy Risk Prediction Tools
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used to estimate risks for conditions such as sepsis, heart disease, and cancer, yet many models remain difficult for clinicians to interpret or trust.... Read more
Point of Care
view channel
AI Dermatology Platform Targets Early Detection of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Keratinocyte skin cancers, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, account for a substantial share of dermatology workload in the United States and require accurate triage to guide biopsy decisions.... Read more
Handheld AI Device for Point-of-Care Skin Lesion Assessment Receives CE Mark
DermaSensor (Miami, FL, USA) has received a Class IIb CE Mark for its handheld DermaSensor device, marking the start of the company’s global expansion strategy. The certification demonstrates conformity... Read more
Business
view channel
Danaher Completes Acquisition of Masimo to Expand Patient Monitoring Capabilities
Danaher Corporation (Washington, DC, USA) has completed its acquisition of Masimo Corporation (Irvine, CA, USA), a specialty diagnostics provider known for pulse oximetry and advanced patient monitoring... Read more
