Lessons learned from recent military actions14-17
Many advances in the management of traumatic hypovolemic shock have been
developed in the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. Two changes are leading
to the better control of bleeding following traumatic injury:
• hemostatic granules/powders used as a foundation to initiate rapid clotting.
• renewed use of tourniquets for control of external hemorrhage. Studies have
shown that despite earlier fears, patients can tolerate prolonged tourniquet application
without serious complications.
Recent experiences in combat medicine have also shown the value of whole
blood over packed red cells. Administering whole blood or the supplement of
packed red cells with plasma, platelets, or coagulation factors has reduced the incidence
of the complications associated with severe hypovolemic shock. Although a
conclusive recommendation for the ratio of red blood cells to plasma hasn’t been
established, it’s much closer to 1:1 than originally believed.
Blood substitutes have been studied extensively, but despite some promising
research, no clinically viable product is currently available