Tranexamic Acid and Refrigerated Platelets as Hemostatic Agents for Prolonged Field Care
Abstract
Injured soldiers are surviving in greater numbers than in past conflicts and medical techniques are improving survival. However, some ofthese soldiers may experience prolonged evacuation times, therefore requiring prolonged field care (PFC). Blood loss (hemorrhage) due totrauma continue to be a concern for combat troops. Prior research suggests that platelets stored at low temperatures (cold-stored) may beuseful in bleeding emergencies. Certain compounds (such as tranexamic acid, TXA) have been successful when used within 1h after injurybut are unknown to be effective in PFC environments or after resuscitation fluid administration. We proposed to develop a model of traumaand prolonged hemorrhagic shock (HS) to investigate whether cold-stored platelets help to form clots to stop hemorrhage and save lives. Ifsuccessful, this will help test the efficacy of early versus late injections of promising compounds (such as TXA) that have been shown toreduce mortality in bleeding patients. Using proven, but novel techniques to induce thrombus (clot) formation during HS, plateletadhesion/function was measured in bleeding vessels while monitoring systemic coagulation status of trauma/HS animals for up to 5 hours.Data suggest that refrigerated platelets may be used for hemostasis after trauma and prolonged HS, but when combined with salineresuscitation reduces thrombus formation. This model allows for testing of novel therapeutic interventions to improve coagulation and savelives during PFC.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1133939
Entities
People
- Ivo P. Torres
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research