Affiliation:
1. Intensive Care Unit Percy Military Training Hospital Clamart France
2. French Military Medical Schools Lyon France
3. Ecole du Val‐de‐Grâce French Military Medical Service Academy Paris France
4. Special Operation Forces Medical Command Villacoublay France
5. French Military Blood Institute Clamart France
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundOn the battlefield, hemorrhage is the main cause of potentially preventable death. To reduce mortality due to hemorrhagic injuries, the French Military Medical Service (FMMS) has deployed low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) since June 2021 during operation BARKHANE in the Sahel–Saharan strip. Questions persist regarding the circumstances under which the FMMS employs LTOWB during overseas operations.Study DesignWe performed a retrospective analysis of all LTOWB transfused by the FMMS during overseas operations in the Sahel–Saharan strip between June 1, 2021, and June 1, 2023. Information was collected from battlefield forward transfusion sheets.ResultsOver the 2‐year study period, 40 units of LTOWB were transfused into 25 patients. Of the 25 patients, 18 were combat casualties and seven were transfused for non‐trauma surgery. Of the 40 units of LTOWB transfused, 22 were provided during Role 2 care, 11 during tactical medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and seven in light and mobile surgical units. Among combat casualties, LTOWB was the first blood product transfused in 13 patients. In combat casualties, 6 h post‐trauma, the median ratio of plasma: red blood cells (RBCs) was 1.5, and the median equivalent platelet concentrate (PC) transfused was 0.17. No immediate adverse events related to LTOWB transfusion were reported.ConclusionLTOWB is transfused by the FMMS during overseas operations from the tactical MEDEVAC until Role 2 care. Deployment of LTOWB by the FMMS enables an early high‐ratio plasma/RBC transfusion and an early platelet transfusion for combat casualties.
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