The U.S. Navy's Experience with Resuscitation of Wounded Servicemen in Vietnam Using Frozen Washed Red Blood Cells - 1966-1973; Developments from This Experience

Abstract

This technical report summarizes the U.S. Navy's experience with resuscitation of wounded servicemen in Vietnam. Results of the U. S. Navy field- testing of the first generation frozen blood bank system in Vietnam between 1966 and 1968 have demonstrated the feasibility of a frozen blood bank system to supplement the liquid blood bank system deployed at a fixed medical facility, in this case at Danang, South Vietnam and aboard the hospital ships USS Repose and USS Sanctuary. Further research conducted after the Vietnam war resulted in marked simplification in red cell freezing methods and in the development of practical and simple methods to salvage outdated O-positive and O-negative red cells by biochemical treatment prior to freeze-preservation. The second generation integrated liquid-frozen blood bank system has been field-tested. Nonrejuvenated, indated-rejuvenated and outdated-rejuvenated cells are frozen with 40% W/V glycerol and stored at -80 C in the primary bag of a polyvinylchloride plastic multiple-bag collection system. After thawing, the red cells are washed with 1.5 liters of a crystalloid solution, composed of a sodium chloride-glucose-phosphate solution, pH 6.8. Platelet freezing methods also have been improved upon: 6 to 8 units of platelets are isolated from individual units of blood, pooled, and frozen with 6% DMSO and storage at -80 C in a polyvinylchloride plastic bag. After thawing, the platelets are washed with 250 ml of a solution composed of sodium chloride-glucose-phosphate, pH 5.0.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 18, 1982
Accession Number
ADA140457

Entities

People

  • C. R. Valeri

Organizations

  • Boston University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acid-Base Imbalance
  • Albumins
  • Blood
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Health Services
  • Hemorrhage
  • Hemorrhagic Shock
  • Medical Personnel
  • Oxygenation

Readers

  • Immunology
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.