Texas has been the epicenter of the ground-based EMS integration of whole blood programs for hemorrhagic shock in the prehospital setting. The MCHD clinical staff have been watching the evidence closely and feeling the push from our own medics.
In this episode of the MCHD Paramedic Podcast, join MCHD Medical Directors Dr. Dickson and Dr. Patrick as they discuss the “why” behind no whole blood at MCHD (yet).
The decision to incorporate whole blood touches on factors including:
- Area size
- Trauma surgery availability and level
- Blunt versus penetrating trauma ratio
- System size and transport times
The discussion includes:
- Research review
- Large volume crystalloid
- Plasma vs. saline
- Minimizing waste
- The blood shortage
- Transport times
- Costs
They also discuss whole blood alternatives, including:
Learn more:
Dr. Peter Antevy talks head-up CPR, whole blood use by EMS
In this episode, our co-hosts welcome back Dr. Peter Antevy who offers his thoughts on the direction the industry is heading and the up-and-coming hot topics
References
- Holcomb JB, et al, PROPPR Study Group. Transfusion of plasma, platelets, and red blood cells in a 1:1:1 vs a 1:1:2 ratio and mortality in patients with severe trauma: the PROPPR randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2015 Feb 3;313(5)
- Stein et al. Reduction of massive transfusion in major trauma patients Anaesthesia 2017, 72, 1317–1326
- Pusateri AE, et al. Association of Prehospital Plasma Transfusion With Survival in Trauma Patients With Hemorrhagic Shock When Transport Times Are Longer Than 20 Minutes: A Post Hoc Analysis of the PAMPer and COMBAT Clinical Trials. JAMA Surg. 2020 Feb 1;155(2)
- Moore HB, et al. Plasma-first resuscitation to treat haemorrhagic shock during emergency ground transportation in an urban area: a randomised trial. Lancet. 2018 Jul 28;392(10144):283-291.
- Sperry JL, et all; PAMPer Study Group. Prehospital Plasma during Air Medical Transport in Trauma Patients at Risk for Hemorrhagic Shock. N Engl J Med. 2018 Jul 26;379(4):315-326.
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- Ditzel RM Jr, et al. A review of transfusion- and trauma-induced hypocalcemia: Is it time to change the lethal triad to the lethal diamond? J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020 Mar;88(3):434-439.
- Sanders S, et al. Fibrinogen Concentrate in the Special Operations Forces Environment. Mil Med. 2018 Jan 1;183(1-2):e45-e50.
- Akbari E, Safari S, Hatamabadi H. The effect of fibrinogen concentrate and fresh frozen plasma on the outcome of patients with acute traumatic coagulopathy: A quasi-experimental study. Am J Emerg Med. 2018 Nov;36(11):1947-1950.
- Ziegler B, et al; FIinTIC study group. Efficacy of prehospital administration of fibrinogen concentrate in trauma patients bleeding or presumed to bleed (FIinTIC): A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised pilot study. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2021 Apr 1;38(4):348-357.