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Australian Defence Force medical researchers are investigating the maximum effectiveness of platelet transfusions for major trauma and intensive care patients.
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The team has recently secured a $1.8 million grant from the Medical Research Future Fund to conduct Australian clinical trials, in partnership with the United Kingdom’s University of Oxford.
It’s hoped the research will lead to a better understanding of when critically ill patients need a platelet transfusion.
Platelets clump together to stop bleeding and repair damaged blood vessels; however, patients in intensive care can have low platelet levels and an increased risk of bleeding.
“It will improve outcomes for patients and ensure the most effective and efficient use of donated platelets – a scarce and expensive resource,” according to team leader Major Elissa Milford.
“We’re now seeing a return on investment for Defence supporting our clinicians to undertake PhDs.
“Those of us who’ve graduated are now starting to lead our own research programs and train the next generation of researchers, growing the capability.”
Defence researchers aim to find at what level patients should receive a platelet transfusion so the benefits of the procedure outweigh the risks, such as allergic reaction or effectiveness preventing bleeding in ICU patients.
The team includes ADF specialists such as Brigadier Michael Reade and Lieutenant Commander Andrew Flint, in partnership with organisations including Red Cross Lifeblood, the University of Queensland, and Monash University.
The study builds on the decade-long Defence research transfusion program, including another clinical trial testing whether frozen platelets would be effective for use in field hospitals.
It also follows a NATO summit in February attended by personnel to standardise blood transfusion procedures for resuscitating patients.
“Until now there’s been little agreement between countries on how to transfuse blood – everyone has done their own thing,” BRIG Reade said.
“It’s a big problem if we’re all going to fight together.”
BRIG Reade, professor of military medicine and surgery at Joint Health Command and at the University of Queensland, said Defence clinical research positioned Australia as a leader in the field.
“It gives us credibility and a seat at the table, allowing us to influence policy to [our] best advantage,” he said.
Earlier this week, Defence also announced the appointment of three experienced personnel to help lead Defence science into the future: Professor Emily Hilder was appointed as the head of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA); former BAE Systems professional Simon Firth was appointed to the role of assistant secretary, ASCA Capability Transition; and Suneel Randhawa was appointed chief information sciences division for the Defence Science and Technology Group.
