Trauma Research Study
The University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center is consulting the people of Miami-Dade County whether to participate in a trauma research study to investigate two blood transfusion strategies for trauma patients who are bleeding to death.
Miami, FL. – Bleeding out is the most common cause of preventable death after injury. Researchers at the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center are asking for community input on whether they should participate in a study that will compare two resuscitation strategies, one using whole blood versus the other using traditional blood component therapy. The goal is to compare which strategy can improve survival.
The traditional approach for treating injured patients who are bleeding is to administer multiple separate units of red blood cells, plasma and platelets — known as component therapy. However, recent evidence from military and civilian medicine suggests that survival may be better when patients receive whole blood, instead of previously separated blood products.
The Trauma Resuscitation with Group O Whole Blood or Products, or TROOP trial, will compare these two resuscitation strategies, in addition to all standard care, in injured patients predicted to require a large volume blood transfusion. “There is a growing body of evidence that whole blood may reduce the chance of dying in injured patients who require blood products,” explains Dr. Jonathan Meizoso a trauma surgeon at the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.
“The standard treatment of injured patients who are bleeding involves the transfusion of different types of blood products, as well as the use of medications to help the blood clot better, along with surgery to stop the bleeding. But even with these treatments up to 30% of patients suffering from a serious traumatic injury die,” said Dr. Jonathan Meizoso. “Finding a way to improve that survival rate is our highest priority here at the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.”
Patients in this study will have suffered a serious and potentially life-threatening injury, causing significant blood loss, and requiring immediate lifesaving interventions. These types of injuries occur unexpectedly, and it will not be possible for most people to sign up to participate ahead of time. Most patients will be unconscious, unable to speak or hear, and too sick to consent to immediate treatment, or participation in the study. If the community feedback is positive and an independent review board (IRB) approves the study, then (Local Institution) will participate in this trial. Community members who do not want to participate can request a bracelet indicating this. If feasible, doctors will consent patients who fit the study criteria. If consent is not feasible, patients who fit the criteria will be automatically enrolled without their individual consent if they are not wearing an opt-out bracelet.
The TROOP trial will be conducted in 13 leading trauma centers in the US and will include 1,100 patients. The trial will begin between early 2023 and last until 2027, and is funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
“The results of this study have the potential to change the way trauma patients are treated,” said Dr. Jonathan Meizoso. “If we can determine that whole blood is safe and effective for trauma patients, we can transform the standard of care for bleeding trauma patients and save thousands of lives.”
The study team members are asking for feedback from the Miami-Dade County community about this study, to help determine whether the community wants this area to participate in this study. Please consider visiting the website below to learn more about this study and to provide your feedback to the local physicians regarding emergency research. You can do this via phone call, email, or completing a brief anonymous survey. The link to the local website is https://sites.uab.edu/troop/miami-home/
Contact:
[email protected]
305-355-4972
