The Lost Art of Whole Blood Transfusion in Austere Environments
Abstract
The optimal resuscitation fluid for uncontrolled bleeding and hemorrhagic shock in both pre- and in-hospital settings has been an ongoing controversy for decades. Hemorrhage continues to be a major cause of death in both the civilian and military trauma population, and survival depends on adequacy of hemorrhage control and resuscitation between onset of bleeding and arrival at a medical treatment facility. The terms far-forward and austere are defined, respectively, as the environment where professional health care providers normally do not operate and a setting in which basic equipment and capabilities necessary for resuscitation are often not available. The relative austerity of a treatment setting may be a function of timing rather than just location, as life-saving interventions must be performed quickly before hemorrhagic shock becomes irreversible. Fresh whole blood transfusions in the field may be a feasible life-saving procedure when facing significant hemorrhage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA621566
Entities
People
- Andrew P Cap
- Christopher K. Bjerkvig
- Geir Strandenes
- Hakon S. Eliassen
- Hans Torvanger
- Steve Illiams
- Theodor K. Fosse
- Tor A. Hervig
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research