Strategy for Warfighter Survival After Exsanguination
Abstract
Objectives and Reason Behind the Research: The problem being addressed is the deaths on the battlefield that could possibly be prevented. Nine out of 10 battlefield deaths are due to battle wounds that cause massive blood loss. When this happens, the Warfighter dies too fast to be transported alive to an emergency medical treatment facility. There is a need to develop methods to sustain the Warfighter’s life following massive blood loss after a major battlefield injury to allow for transport to an emergency medical treatment facility alive where there is more equipment and personnel. This method must be simple but effective that can be done by a paramedic who is out of the line of fire, but still in a position to be under attack at any moment. Blood infusions have proven to be insufficient to bring back a Warfighter who has undergone clinical death in which they are no longer breathing and have no pulse. Other fluids that are available, including plasma, Hextend, and albumin, are even less effective than blood, suggesting that treatment is not as straightforward as replacing what was lost with blood or other fluids. During severe blood loss, the body produces a gas called nitric oxide that suppresses the body’s ability to recover by keeping the blood pressure and heart pumping function too low. Other efforts have tried to block the production of nitric oxide, but they did not work because nitric oxide is essential to regular body function. In addition, all fluids investigated to this point caused irreversible organ damage. Vivacelle Bio has invented a fluid, VBI-1, that is able to replace the lost blood, shift the balance of nitric oxide to survival with elevation of blood pressure without stopping its production, and protect the organs instead of damaging them like blood or the other fluids. In addition, Vivacelle Bio’s research has shown in the laboratory that, in situations of clinical death, giving the fluid rapidly through the artery is much more effective than giving it the usual way (through the vein) in bringing animals back to life. Using a combination of this new fluid and delivery through the artery, Vivacelle Bio has succeeded in keeping mice alive for 3½ hours after clinical death. The goal of the work outlined in this proposal is to extend this survival time to 12 hours while maintaining normal brain function. Therefore, we will test brain function too after keeping the animals alive for 12 hours. The proposed study fits into two FY21 JPC-6/CCCRP BRISCC award focus areas: (1) tools and techniques to optimize and sustain (more than 12 hours) resuscitation for hemorrhagic shock injuries with an intent to support large-scale multi-domain operations (MDO1) and mass casualty-like scenarios and (2) innovative and novel devices, drugs, therapies, and clinical practice techniques to treat combat-related and trauma-induced injuries in the pre-hospital setting. Research and Clinical Applications, Benefits, and Risks: Rats will be given anesthesia, and tubes will be placed in the main vein and artery in one of their legs. All of their blood will be removed, and we will wait for them to stop breathing. As soon as they die, we will give the test fluids into the body rapidly through the artery. We will attempt to prolong survival for at least 12 hours by trying repeat pushes and other techniques. VBI-1 will be compared to blood and Ringer’s lactate. Neurological effects will be tested. The most effective fluid and method of providing the fluid will be assessed in future studies in human patients who present to the emergency room who are clinically dead from blood loss when they arrive. The same method and fluid will be used by paramedics so that more wounded Soldiers can get high-level treatment. The risk is minimal because VBI-1 is made of components that are already known to be safe. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Vivacelle Bio permission to do a clinical trial of VBI-1 in pati
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 28, 2022
- Source ID
- W81XWH2210447
Entities
People
- Cuthbert Simpkins
Organizations
- United States Army