Back to the Future: Whole Blood
Program Code: 5410-TC
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
8:30 AM to 10:00 AM (ET)

MODERATOR
John R. Hess, MD, University of Maryland Medical School

SPEAKERS
John R. Hess, MD, University of Maryland Medical School
John Holcomb, US Army Institute of Surgical Research

DESCRIPTION
This session will describe our evolving understanding of the coagulopathy of trauma. The speakers will review the recent military use of fresh whole blood as a tool to correct the coagulopathy of trauma when it occurs far from sources of platelets and when the coagulopathy is profound. The session will also address the fundamental limits of current component therapy in trauma care and the need to develop better systems for RBC storage, platelet storage, and plasma storage and for better hemorrhage control drugs and devices. Speakers will also discuss why the use of unlicensed blood products is not an appropriate strategy for use in conditions other than battlefield and massive emergency situations.