Whole Blood in Trauma Resuscitation: What Did TOWAR and SWiFT Change?

After four years away, Trauma ICU Rounds is back.In this short relaunch episode, I reflect on the journey from California back to Canada, how my clinical and leadership roles have evolved, and why now is the right time to return to the podcast.We also share what comes next: clear, practical, evidence-informed conversations in trauma, critical care and resuscitation—designed to make complex topics easier to understand and apply at the bedside.Welcome back to Rounds.Explore Trauma ICU Rounds:https://www.traumaicurounds.caFollow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaicuroundsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaicuroundsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumaicuroundsTrauma ICU Rounds is intended for healthcare education. It does not replace clinical judgment, individualized patient care or local protocols.

Whole blood has made a remarkable comeback in trauma resuscitation. Physiologically, the rationale is compelling, and observational studies have suggested improved survival. But the recent randomized TOWAR and SWiFT trials have challenged the assumption that whole blood is clearly superior to component therapy.In this episode of Trauma ICU Rounds, we review the rationale for low-titer group O whole blood (LTOWB), the major observational data supporting its use, what TOWAR and SWiFT actually showed, and how these findings should influence contemporary damage-control resuscitation.Topics include: Low-titer group O whole blood (LTOWB)  Observational versus randomized evidence  TOWAR and SWiFT  Whole blood versus balanced component therapy  Integrating whole blood into massive hemorrhage protocols  Calcium, warming, TXA and hemorrhage control  RhD considerations in females of childbearing potential The central question: whole blood clearly works as a resuscitation product—but is it actually better than excellent component therapy?Full notes, graphics and references: traumaicurounds.caFollow @traumaicurounds on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe on YouTube for new trauma and critical care teaching.Explore Trauma ICU Rounds:https://www.traumaicurounds.caFollow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaicuroundsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaicuroundsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumaicuroundsTrauma ICU Rounds is intended for healthcare education. It does not replace clinical judgment, individualized patient care or local protocols.

In this episode we sit down with the Chief of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns,  & Acute Care Surgery at the University of Arizona, Dr. Bellal Joseph, who share with us his thoughts and research findings on hot topics including frailty, geriatric trauma, leadership, and more.Timestamps:00:12  Introductions01:30  What is frailty? Your physiologic NOT chronologic body.06:58  Injured elderly trauma patients can have good outcomes07:30  Trauma specific frailty index10:48  Failure to rescue13:57  Geriatricians and the trauma surgeons 15:08  4Ms-What Matters, Mobility, Mentation, Medication16:48  Geriatric cohorting/wards22:24  ACS geriatric centers of excellence 29:35  Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG)38:17  The importance of teamwork & servant leadership40:28  Imposter syndrome43:19  Leadership considerations45:25  Final thoughtsReferences:Joseph B, Friese RS, Sadoun M, Aziz H, Kulvatunyou N, Pandit V, Wynne J, Tang A, O'Keeffe T, Rhee P. The BIG (brain injury guidelines) project: defining the management of traumatic brain injury by acute care surgeons. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2014 Apr;76(4):965-9. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000000161. PMID: 24662858.Joseph B, Obaid O, Dultz L, Black G, Campbell M, Berndtson AE, Costantini T, Kerwin A, Skarupa D, Burruss S, Delgado L, Gomez M, Mederos DR, Winfield R, Cullinane D; AAST BIG Multi-institutional Study Group. Validating the Brain Injury Guidelines: Results of an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma prospective multi-institutional trial. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2022 Aug 1;93(2):157-165. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003554. Epub 2022 Mar 28. PMID: 35343931.vJoseph B, Pandit V, Haider AA, Kulvatunyou N, Zangbar B, Tang A, Aziz H, Vercruysse G, O'Keeffe T, Freise RS, Rhee P. Improving Hospital Quality and Costs in Nonoperative Traumatic Brain Injury: The Role of Acute Care Surgeons. JAMA Surg. 2015 Sep;150(9):866-72. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2015.1134. PMID: 26107247.Joseph B, Pandit V, Sadoun M, Zangbar B, Fain MJ, Friese RS, Rhee P. Frailty in surgery. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2014 Apr;76(4):1151-6. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000000103. PMID: 24662884.Orouji Jokar T, Ibraheem K, Rhee P, Kulavatunyou N, Haider A, Phelan HA, Fain M, Mohler MJ, Joseph B. Emergency general surgery specific frailty index: A validation study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016 Aug;81(2):254-60. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000001120. PMID: 27257694.Explore Trauma ICU Rounds:https://www.traumaicurounds.caFollow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaicuroundsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaicuroundsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumaicuroundsTrauma ICU Rounds is intended for healthcare education. It does not replace clinical judgment, individualized patient care or local protocols.

In this episode, we talk all things critical care the one and only, Dr. Jean-Louis Vincent aka. JLV.  This episode is a MUST listen. We touch upon the evolution of early goal directed therapy, measures of fluid responsiveness, optimizing oxygen delivery, and the importance of integrating data points versus examining  them in isolation when caring for our critically ill and injured patients. This and MUCH MUCH more in arguably one of my favorite episodes to date!!Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:21 What happened to SG catheters and should we use them?04:05 What decreases mortality in critical care patients?05:30 When to transfuse critical care patient? Use your brain! 08:55 Measures of tissue perfusion and fluid responsiveness09:36 JLV breaks down the Rivers trial10:36 Recent EGDT papers 10:54 How to optimize O2 delivery? Late ScVO2, dob challenge, and fluid challenges13:21 Dynamic measures of fluid responsiveness13:46 CVP as a relative value15:14 Passive leg raising (PLR) as a measure of fluid responsiveness21:20 JLV's take on therapeutic nihilism24:45 Don’t isolate; integrate!26:46 Navigating the future of critical care – JLV’s thoughts on AI in the ICU29:55 Rapid fire hot topics in the ICU – Yes or No -Metabolic cocktail-Corticosteroids for septic shock-Albumin and Lasix or Lasix alonePCT/CRP and sepsis/AbxResources:International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (ISICEM):https://www.isicem.orgISICEM Chats Platform:https://www.isicem.org/e-chat/index.asp          Articles:Passive leg raising:five rules, not a drop of fluid! https://ccforum.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13054-014-0708-5The fluid challengehttps://ccforum.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13054-020-03443-yBlood lactate levels in sepsis: 8 questionsVincent JL, Bakker J. Blood lactate levels in sepsis: in 8 questions. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2021 Jun 1;27(3):298-302. doi: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000000824. PMID: 33852499.We should avoid the term "fluid overload"https://ccforum.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13054-018-2141-7EGDT in the Treatment of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shockhttps://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa010307A Randomized Trial of Protocol-Based Care for Early Septic Shockhttps://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1401602Explore Trauma ICU Rounds:https://www.traumaicurounds.caFollow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaicuroundsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaicuroundsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumaicuroundsTrauma ICU Rounds is intended for healthcare education. It does not replace clinical judgment, individualized patient care or local protocols.

In this episode, we discuss the overarching importance of AVOIDING iatrogenic harm in the ICU with arguably one of the world's leading experts in critical care medicine, the one and only, Dr. Jean-Louis Vincent aka. JLV.Tune in as Dr. Vincent shares with us the importance of having a systematic, problem-based approach to patient care delivery which, of course, involves giving our patients a FAST HUG every day!Time Stamps:2:10 LA Critical Care and Differences between Europe versus USA4:04 COVID, Modern tech and bedside care5:32 ICU Rounds – How I do it6:00 Team Based ICU Care 7:56 Modern advances in critical care9:55 Problem-based approach in the ICU13:18 FAST HUGS14:00 Feeding14:36 Analgesia & Sedation15:46 Thromboembolic prophylaxis16:25Head of the bed elevated17:17Ulcer prophylaxis19:22Glucose control20:48 Tube feeds, yes? Ulcer ppx , no.22:30 OutroExplore Trauma ICU Rounds:https://www.traumaicurounds.caFollow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaicuroundsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaicuroundsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumaicuroundsTrauma ICU Rounds is intended for healthcare education. It does not replace clinical judgment, individualized patient care or local protocols.

It's been a while! We are coming to you from our new studio in Victoria on Vancouver Island, BC. This Season is PACKED with incredible content, interviews and educational pearls designed to improve the quality of care that you are deliver daily at the bedside to your patients and their loved ones.Explore Trauma ICU Rounds:https://www.traumaicurounds.caFollow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaicuroundsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaicuroundsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumaicuroundsTrauma ICU Rounds is intended for healthcare education. It does not replace clinical judgment, individualized patient care or local protocols.

"Getting patients resuscitated through sepsis, septic shock, and hemorrhagic shock is not the end...it's the beginning."In this episode, Dr. Brakenridge from Harborview Medical Center joins us to discuss PICS and the impact of this syndrome on our critically ill and injured patients and their families. Also referred to as the Post-Intensive Care Syndrome, Dr. Brakenridge shares with us the evolution and results of translational research into this now well-recognized morbid condition which often occurs in the setting of chronic critical illness. From the importance of breaking  the cycle of "sepsis recidivism" to the. application of the SCCM A to F bundle, this episode is a MUST listen for those of us taking care of patients in the ICU.TIME STAMPS00:12  Introduction01:46  What is PICS? The role of chronic critical illness (CCI)05:13  Phenotypes vs. endotypes06:47  The role of biomarkers in PICS08:50  When does acute critical illness turn into CCI?10:14  Risk factors for PICS15: 07  Prognostication and determining patient trajectory18:32  The Glue Grant Experience: Genomics of Injury22:48  Hemorrhagic shock resuscitation: Then and now25:33  Sepsis recidivism & avoiding secondary insults 29:08 ICU delirium31:55  The role of early mobilization32:41  The impact of catabolism in sepsis34:50  Is there a role for anabolic steroids to counteract PICS?37:52  What's ahead in terms of PICS translational research?39:44  Cytokine and immunomodulator therapies41:49  Final thoughtsRECOMMENDED READINGSBrakenridge SC, Wang Z, Cox M, Raymond S, Hawkins R, Darden D, Ghita G, Brumback B, Cuschieri J, Maier RV, Moore FA, Mohr AM, Efron PA, Moldawer LL. Distinct immunologic endotypes are associated with clinical trajectory after severe blunt trauma and hemorrhagic shock. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2021 Feb 1;90(2):257-267. Efron PA, Mohr AM, Bihorac A, Horiguchi H, Hollen MK, Segal MS, Baker HV, Leeuwenburgh C, Moldawer LL, Moore FA, Brakenridge SC. Persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism and the development of chronic critical illness after surgery. Surgery. 2018 Aug;164(2):178-184. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2018.04.011. Epub 2018 May 26. Sauaia A, Moore FA, Moore EE. Postinjury Inflammation and Organ Dysfunction. Crit Care Clin. 2017 Jan;33(1):167-191. Stortz JA, Murphy TJ, Raymond SL, Mira JC, Ungaro R, Dirain ML, Nacionales DC, Loftus TJ, Wang Z, Ozrazgat-Baslanti T, Ghita GL, Brumback BA, Mohr AM, Bihorac A, Efron PA, Moldawer LL, Moore FA, Brakenridge SC. Evidence for Persistent Immune Suppression in Patients Who Develop Chronic Critical Illness After Sepsis. Shock. 2018 Mar;49(3):249-258. Explore Trauma ICU Rounds:https://www.traumaicurounds.caFollow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaicuroundsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaicuroundsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumaicuroundsTrauma ICU Rounds is intended for healthcare education. It does not replace clinical judgment, individualized patient care or local protocols.

In this, our 50th episode, we are in Austin, TX, for the Annual EAST Scientific Meeting where we are joined by Dr. Bryan A. Cotton who shares his expertise and knowledge regarding the use of whole blood (WB) in trauma patients. From the use of whole blood in prior military conflicts to the design and successful implementation of one of the only prospective randomized controlled trials of modified whole blood use in trauma patients, Dr. Cotton provides an incredible overview of the potential benefits of whole blood or as he refers to it - "the dying blood product". Also covered in expert fashion are the role of other hemostatic products and strategies including tranexamic acid, fibrinogen concentrates, and a plasma first resuscitation strategy. Time Stamps:01:16  The rationale for whole blood & a 1:1:1 transfusion strategy04:24  Military experience with WB: What's old is new again!05:44  Modified WB vs. Component Therapy RCT06:02  Leukoreduction of WB07:00  Type-specific WB09:38  Platelet function in WB vs. aphaeresis platelets11:58  Warm fresh WB vs. cold stored12:55  The whole is greater than the sum of its parts15:02  What do we mean by low-titer WB?19:14  O+ vs. O- WB & the potential for alloimmunization24:39  Transfusion reactions & safety of WB in trauma patients25:40  Prehospital WB for the win27:32  LITES Network28:27  Hemorrhage control, 1:1:1, viscoelastic assays, cryoprecipitate & fibrinogen               concentrate32:00  BAC's thoughts on tranexamic acid (TXA)34:47  BAC's thoughts on hypertonic saline (HTS) for COVID-1938:51  Final thoughts & future directionsRecommended Readings:Cotton BA, Podbielski J, Camp E, Welch T, del Junco D, Bai Y, Hobbs R, Scroggins J, Hartwell B, Kozar RA, Wade CE, Holcomb JB; Early Whole Blood Investigators. A randomized controlled pilot trial of modified whole blood versus component therapy in severely injured patients requiring large volume transfusions. Ann Surg. 2013 Oct;258(4):527-32; discussion 532-3.Williams J, Merutka N, Meyer D, Bai Y, Prater S, Cabrera R, Holcomb JB, Wade CE, Love JD, Cotton BA. Safety profile and impact of low-titer group O whole blood for emergency use in trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020 Jan;88(1):87-93. McGinity AC, Zhu CS, Greebon L, Xenakis E, Waltman E, Epley E, Cobb D, Jonas R, Nicholson SE, Eastridge BJ, Stewart RM, Jenkins DH. Prehospital low-titer cold-stored whole blood: Philosophy for ubiquitous utilization of O-positive product for emergency use in hemorrhage due to injury. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2018 Jun;84(6S Suppl 1):S115-S119. Sperry JL, Guyette FX, Brown JB, Yazer MH, Triulzi DJ, Early-Young BJ, Adams PW, Daley BJ, Miller RS, Harbrecht BG, Claridge JA, Phelan HA, Witham WR, Putnam AT, Duane TM, Alarcon LH, Callaway CW, Zuckerbraun BS, Neal MD, Rosengart MR, Forsythe RM, Billiar TR, Yealy DM, Peitzman AB, Zenati MS; PAMPer Study Group. Prehospital Plasma during Air Medical Transport in Trauma Patients at Risk for Hemorrhagic Shock. N Engl J Med. 2018 Jul 26;379(4):315-326. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1802345. PMID: 30044935.Yazer MH, Jackson B, Sperry JL, Alarcon L, Triulzi DJ, Murdock AD. Initial safety and feasibility of cold-stored uncrossmatched whole blood transfusion in civilian trauma patients. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016 Jul;81(1):21-6. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000001100. PMID: 27120323.Websites:LITES Networkhttps://www.litesnetwork.orgSouthwest Texas Regional Advisory Councilhttps://www.strac.org/bloodExplore Trauma ICU Rounds:https://www.traumaicurounds.caFollow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaicuroundsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaicuroundsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumaicuroundsTrauma ICU Rounds is intended for healthcare education. It does not replace clinical judgment, individualized patient care or local protocols.

In the second episode of a two-part series, Dr. Mattox shares his insights and thoughts on hot research topics in trauma in need of investigation. Additionally, he helps us to envision what acute trauma management may look like in the future, while also sharing with us how his book (and one of my ALL-TIME fave surgery books!), Top Knife, came into being. From lessons learned to lessons in need of learning, Dr. Mattox has all of the bases (and basics) covered.Time Stamps0:00 Introduction00:12 "The resuscitation is the incision."00:44 Welcome &  Announcements/Call to Action02:24 Whole blood is good but.....what should our endpoint of resuscitation  be?03:05 Drones in the prehospital setting08:03 Reimagining the ER08:57 General Surgery training: Then & now10:00 Top Knife, Trauma, Rich’s Vascular Trauma11:33 How Top Knife came into being – Saturday mornings, coffee, Mary Allen & a tape recorder16:57 To operate or not operate?22:11 Mattox Vegas TCCACS 26:11 Final thoughts: ”There’s always a better way."Explore Trauma ICU Rounds:https://www.traumaicurounds.caFollow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaicuroundsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaicuroundsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumaicuroundsTrauma ICU Rounds is intended for healthcare education. It does not replace clinical judgment, individualized patient care or local protocols.

We. Are. Back!! After a (brief?!) hiatus, we are launching 2022 with a 2-part series with the one and only Dr. Ken Mattox. In this episode, Dr. Mattox shares with us his thoughts on what the modern general surgeon should look like and how we as surgeons differ from our medicine counterparts. Additionally, we review the history of modern trauma resuscitation, the paradigm shifts that have occurred as it pertains to permissive hypotension, as well as the technological advances that have occurred over the last century that have improved care of the critically injured patient. This is an episode not to be missed!Time Stamps00:12 Welcome & announcements04:21 What does the modern "surgeon" look like?07:48 The interplay between technology & surgery10:15 Serendipity & Dr. Mattox's early career11:28 Finessing & integrating clinical practice with research opportunities13:45 The 2 most impactful advances in trauma care during the last century: the microchip & organized trauma systems17:00 Dr. Mattox's thoughts on REBOA & intravascular control/treatment techniques22:32 MAST pants: lessons learned25:18 Elevate the BP with MAST and fluids? Increase the mortality!!26:30 Permissive hypotension27:06 Vasopressors in the ER?! Hypotension is teleological!! ReferencesBickell WH, Pepe PE, Wyatt CH, Dedo WR, Applebaum DJ, Black CT, Mattox KL. Effect of antishock trousers on the trauma score: a prospective analysis in the urban setting. Ann Emerg Med. 1985 Mar;14(3):218-22. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(85)80443-1. PMID: 3977145.Bickell WH, Wall MJ Jr, Pepe PE, Martin RR, Ginger VF, Allen MK, Mattox KL. Immediate versus delayed fluid resuscitation for hypotensive patients with penetrating torso injuries. N Engl J Med. 1994 Oct 27;331(17):1105-9. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199410273311701. PMID: 7935634.Hirshberg A, Hoyt DB, Mattox KL. From "leaky buckets" to vascular injuries: understanding models of uncontrolled hemorrhage. J Am Coll Surg. 2007 Apr;204(4):665-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2007.01.005. Epub 2007 Feb 23. PMID: 17382227.2022 Mattox Vegas TCCACShttps://www.trauma-criticalcare.com/tccacs/program/Explore Trauma ICU Rounds:https://www.traumaicurounds.caFollow:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaicuroundsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaicuroundsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumaicuroundsTrauma ICU Rounds is intended for healthcare education. It does not replace clinical judgment, individualized patient care or local protocols.