The Effect of Hypobaria on Muscle Inflammation and Regeneration After Injury and Hemorrhagic Shock
Abstract
Proposed Research Objective and Rationale: The objective of the proposed research is to understand the effect of long-distance flying on recovery after muscle injury and significant bleeding. The rationale for this proposed research is that the cabin of a medical transport plane is only pressurized to 8,000 feet, which means wounded Service members in transit and without supplemental oxygen are exposed to less oxygen than if transported via ground. This situation may affect recovery following combat injuries, especially if wounded Service members are traveling from Asia to the United States. Fiscal Year 2015 Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program Priority Research Area: The proposed research addresses the Combat Casualty Care Research Program (CCCRP). This program has one goal of reducing deaths and other complications associated with combat wounds and developing strategies to treat injuries as soon as possible. The proposed research s focus on the effect of air transport on tissue recovery aligns with the CCCRP s goal to reduce wound-related complications. Also, as the identification of treatment strategies is part of the CCCRP, the proposed research centers on the body s immune system response to injury, which may be treatable if affected by air transport. Proposed Research Applicability and Relevance to Service Members Healthcare Needs: This proposed research may help wounded Service members endure survivable injuries. As 90.9% of survivable injuries involve significant bleeding and/or 50% involve extremity trauma, these individuals, following injury, are likely to be transported by air to an acute medical care facility, often located 8-16 hours from the battlefield. In determining the effect of air transport on tissue recovery, this research may lead to improvements in wounded Service members care during air transport as well as their recuperation post treatment. Furthermore, there are no known clinical risks associated with this research at this time. Projected Timeline: As this research is in its early stage, 10 years may be needed to influence care during air transport. The rationale for this timeline is that more basic research must be performed to determine whether a connection exists between air transport and tissue recovery. If findings of the proposed research support the hypothesis that air transport slows recovery, then the next set of studies needs to test treatments that will counteract or mitigate this effect. These studies may take an additional 5 years.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1610150
Entities
People
- Barbara St. Pierre Schneider
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas