Improving Mitochondrial Function to Mitigate Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury from Aortic Occlusion in a Swine Model of Hemorrhagic Shock
Abstract
Even though the use of body armors and tourniquets has saved the life of many Warfighters, blood loss remains a significant problem on the battlefield. There has been a rising interest in an intervention called REBOA, which stands for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta. REBOA relies on the placement of a catheter in the aorta (the main blood vessel distributing blood to the body). The catheter has a balloon at its tip, which can be inflated to stop blood flow and therefore hemorrhage past the balloon. There are many scientist groups working on improving the way the balloon is inflated and deflated to prolong how long this therapy can be used. Researchers are studying refinements for the technique, but all those new approaches only adjust how the catheter itself is used. We need medical therapies as well to complement those mechanical interventions to minimize the damaging side effects that REBOA has on the heart, kidney, intestine, liver, and spinal cord. Mitochondria are the cellular machinery that are critical for energy production. There are several diseases, including trauma and hemorrhage, that adversely affect the mitochondria. It has been hypothesized that REBOA especially affects the mitochondria found in the organs most sensitive to the side effects from REBOA. There are new medications that protect and rescue the function of mitochondria. To date, none of these have been tested with REBOA. Here we propose to use one of those new molecules, called elamipretide, to reduce complications associated with the use of REBOA in a pig model of severe blood loss. We hope to show that elamipretide can prevent the complications commonly observed after using REBOA catheters in animals or patients. We hope to use our results to improve the care for both Warfighters in the battlefield and civilians.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010180
Entities
People
- Guillaume Hoareau
Organizations
- Military & Health Research Foundation
- United States Army