Damage Control Resuscitation: Optimizing Blood Component use to Save Lives of Severely Injured Soldiers
Abstract
Medical care in modern warfare is challenged by the use of high-explosive weapons that can induce mass casualties. In the current conflicts, improvements in body armour, the use of tourniquets and hemostatic dressings and in most cases, rapid evacuation times has resulted in higher survival rates than seen in prior wars. A major medical advance in the current conflicts is the initiation of damage control resuscitation for the treatment of severely injured Soldiers, particularly those who require massive transfusion and have dysfunction of their blood clotting system and the highest risk of dying. Recent retrospective analysis of traumatic injuries has revealed that patients who received plasma or a plasma to RBC ratio close to 1:1, had improved survival compared to patients who received standard transfusion therapy of plasma to RBC ratios of 1:4 or greater. As further analysis of the benefits of plasma are realized, research efforts in the laboratory are investigating and characterizing a freeze-dried plasma compared to standard fresh frozen plasma, so the benefits of this blood product can be delivered to far forward locations for the early treatment of severely injured Soldiers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA505841
Entities
People
- Charles E Wade
- Harry K. Stinger
- Jeremy G. Perkins
- Jill L. Sondeen
- John B Holcomb
- Michael A. Dubick
- Philip C Spinella
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research