Human polymerized hemoglobin for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock when blood is unavailable: the USA multicenter trial.

Background: Human polymerized hemoglobin (PolyHeme, Northfield Laboratories) is a universally compatible oxygen carrier developed to treat life-threatening anemia. This multicenter phase III trial was the first US study to assess survival of patients resuscitated with a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier starting at the scene of injury.

Study Design: Injured patients with a systolic blood pressure View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Evolution, not revolution: splenic salvage for blunt trauma in a statewide voluntary trauma system--a 10-year experience.

Background: State-legislated trauma systems have been enacted in an attempt to improve trauma care. Blunt splenic injury incidence without a legislated trauma system was examined for changes in care with a hypothesis that a voluntary system may perform equally with a legislated system.

Methods: Data from a statewide discharge database for the years 1993 to 2002 were examined.

Safety of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in surgical patients with severe sepsis.

Background: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of the overall safety of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in surgical patients with severe sepsis enrolled in PROWESS.

Methods: A blinded Surgical Evaluation Committee (SEC) verified surgical patients as having undergone a significant operative procedure within 30 days prior to enrollment. Serious and treatment-emergent bleeding events, both during the study drug infusion period (120 h) and the entire 28-day study period were analyzed by surgical status and by treatment assignment.