Gokhale S G, Scorer Thomas, Doughty H
Department of Defence Primary Health Care, Ministry of Defence (Royal Navy), Plymouth, UK.
Institute of Naval Medicine, Hampshire, UK.
J R Army Med Corps. 2016 Feb;162(1):63-5. doi: 10.1136/jramc-2014-000361. Epub 2014 Dec 22.
Prehospital use of blood products may improve survival. However, transfusion support with frozen blood components is logistically burdensome and constrains the configuration of prehospital medical support. Alternatives to frozen plasma, including lyophilised plasma, offer the potential for advanced resuscitation in the prehospital environment. We describe the successful use of lyophilised plasma by a UK patrol in the prehospital environment during operations in Afghanistan in 2012 and reflect on recent military experience and the need for further developments.
