Plasma transfusion or plasma protein product infusion in a murine model of trauma

Patients who suffer traumatic physical injury can die without immediate and intense medical interventions. Controversy surrounds the best choice of transfusion product to help these critically injured patients. Recent clinical trials have shown that early transfusion of plasma can help. Some of this research has involved patients transfused with plasma in helicopters taking them from the scene of their injury to hospital. However, it is not certain that plasma is the best choice in this setting. We propose to use anesthetized mice to study trauma and hemorrhage causing shock. We will treat the shock by transfusing different fluids. We will compare saline to plasma to other products purified from plasma or mimicking proteins found in plasma. These are more concentrated products that could be more effective than plasma, and help doctors get control of life-threatening bleeding faster. We will also do experiments that will reveal what is most serious about hemorrhagic shock and how different treatments change test tube measurements of clot formation and “clot busting”. Our results will show if plasma can be replaced by other treatments. Plasma not used for transfusion can be used to make other drugs to benefit patients. Our proposed research will therefore increase knowledge about how best to utilize blood and blood products to benefit Canadian patients and may lead to the development of new plasma protein products.

SHEFFIELD, William

Canadian Blood Services/McMaster University

Intramural Research Grant Program

Ontario

$257,415