The impact of delivery by a fixed-wing, sling-launched unmanned aerial vehicle on the hematologic function of whole blood.

BACKGROUND

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been shown to shorten delivery times of medical products in health care, providing a potential answer to the question of prehospital resuscitation where blood and blood products are not readily available. While the capabilities and efficiencies of delivery via UAVs are already well established, the postdelivery viability and hemostatic function of whole blood has not been examined.

METHODS

Whole blood units were sampled for a preflight control and loaded onto a fixed wing UAV. The UAVs flew in predetermined flight paths to either deliver via parachute drop or direct recovery after UAV capture by arresting gear. Postflight and preflight samples were assayed for coagulation function with thromboelastography, blood chemistry, and free hemoglobin to observe hemolysis.

RESULTS

No significant differences in any metric were observed between the blood samples assayed preflight versus those flown and parachute dropped or those flown and recovered from the UAV.

CONCLUSION

The use of UAVs for delivery of whole blood offers significant benefits for prehospital care. Further innovations in UAV and transportation technologies will expand on an already strong foundation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.