Fresh Whole Blood Transfusion: A Controversial Military Practice (original) (raw)
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Constant challenges and evolution of US military transfusion medicine and blood operations in combat
Transfusion, 2012
BACKGROUND: Blood operations are constrained by many limitations in combat settings. As a result there are many challenges that require innovative solutions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a descriptive overview of blood product usage and transfusion medicine adaptations that have been employed by the US military to support combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan between November 2001 and December 2010. RESULTS: Transfusion medicine challenges have included the need for rapid transport of large quantities of blood products from the United States to Iraq and Afghanistan, risks and appropriate countermeasures associated with blood products collected in the theater of operations, availability of fresh-frozen plasma at forward surgical facilities, need for platelets (PLTs) in combat, and the need to support constant and evolving changes in transfusion and resuscitation protocols. A decrease in the storage age of red blood cells (RBCs) transfused to combat casualties has been achieved. There has been an increase in the ratio of plasma and PLTs to RBCs transfused, increased availability of plasma and apheresis PLTs to facilitate this approach, and a continuous effort to improve the safety of using fresh whole blood and apheresis PLTs collected in combat. A number of clinical practice guidelines are in place to address these processes. CONCLUSION: This multidisciplinary approach has successfully addressed many complicated and challenging issues regarding blood operations and transfusion practices for combat casualties. ABBREVIATIONS: ASWBPL = Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Laboratory; CENTCOM = Central Command; MTF(s) = medical treatment facility (-ies); WWI (-II) = World War I (II).
Transfusion practice in military trauma
Transfusion Medicine, 2008
Modern warfare causes severe injuries, and despite rapid transportation to theater regional trauma centers, casualties frequently arrive coagulopathic and in shock. Conventional resuscitation beginning with crystalloid fluids to treat shock causes further dilutional coagulopathy and increased hemorrhagic loss of platelets and coagulation factors. Established coagulopathy was difficult to reverse in the face of uncontrolled hemorrhage. Because many of the casualties met conventional plasma and platelet transfusion criteria on admission, thawed AB plasma was prepositioned in the trauma receiving area and used in a 1:1 ratio with red cells for resuscitation and fresh whole blood was used as a source of platelets. Retrospective assessments of this 1:1 therapy strongly suggested that it resulted in improved hemostasis, shorter ventilator times, and improved survival. Component therapy, when available, appears to be as effective as fresh whole blood. In field emergencies, fresh whole blood can be lifesaving.
Fresh whole blood transfusion capability for Special Operations Forces
Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie, 2015
Fresh whole blood (FWB) transfusion is an option for providing volume and oxygen carrying capacity to bleeding Special Operations soldiers who are injured in an austere environment and who are far from a regular blood bank. Retrospective data from recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan show an association between the use of FWB and survival. We reviewed the literature to document the issues surrounding FWB transfusion to Special Operations soldiers in the austere environment and surveyed the literature regarding best practice guidelines for and patient outcomes after FWB transfusions. Most literature regarding FWB transfusion is retrospective or historical. There is limited prospective evidence currently to change transfusion practice in tertiary care facilities, but FWB remains an option in the austere setting.
Transfusion, 2011
BACKGROUND: At major combat hospitals, the military is able to provide blood products to include apheresis platelets (aPLT), but also has extensive experience using fresh whole blood (FWB). In massively transfused trauma patients, we compared outcomes of patients receiving FWB to those receiving aPLT. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of casualties at the military hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, between January 2004 and December 2006. Patients requiring massive transfusion (Ն10 units in 24 hr) were divided into two groups: those receiving FWB (n = 85) or aPLT (n = 284) during their resuscitation. Admission characteristics, resuscitation, and survival were compared between groups. Multivariate regression analyses were performed comparing survival of patients at 24 hours and at 30 days. Secondary outcomes including adverse events and causes of death were analyzed. RESULTS: Unadjusted survival between groups receiving aPLT and FWB was similar at 24 hours (84% vs. 81%, respectively; p = 0.52) and at 30 days (60% versus 57%, respectively; p = 0.72). Multivariate regression failed to identify differences in survival between patients receiving PLT transfusions either as FWB or as aPLT at 24 hours or at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Survival for massively transfused trauma patients receiving FWB appears to be similar to patients resuscitated with aPLT. Prospective trials will be necessary before consideration of FWB in the routine management of civilian trauma. However, in austere environments where standard blood products are unavailable, FWB is a feasible alternative.
Transfusion of Blood Products in Trauma: An Update
The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2010
e Abstract-Background: Blood transfusion in the management of severely injured patients can be lifesaving. These patients are susceptible to developing early coagulopathy, thus perpetuating bleeding. Objectives: This article presents recent advances in both the civilian and military clinical arena to improve the treatment of trauma patients with severe hemorrhage, the use of agents to support coagulation, perspectives on restrictive transfusion strategies, and transfusion-related risks. Discussion: Massive blood transfusion is an adjunct to surgical care. The volume of blood products transfused and the ratio of blood components have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. The adverse clinical effects of transfusion and the limited supply of blood products have resulted in modern resuscitation protocols to limit the volume of blood transfused. Conclusion: A restrictive blood transfusion strategy and the use of hemostatic agents may decrease morbidity and mortality in trauma patients, but insufficient data are available for their use in trauma patients. Massive transfusion should reflect an equal ratio of packed red cells and plasma to limit coagulopathy. Prospective randomized trials are needed to standardize an effective protocol.
The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care, 2007
Expanded Abstract Citation Borgman MA, Spinella PC, Perkins JG, Grathwohl KW, Repine T, Beekley AC, Sebesta J, Jenkins D, Wade CE, Holcomb JB: The ratio of blood products transfused affects mortality in patients receiving massive transfusions at a combat support hospital. J Trauma 2007, 63:805-813 [1].