Intravenously administered nanoparticles increase survival following blast trauma

Date

2014-07-15

Department

Program

Citation of Original Publication

Lashof-Sullivan, Margaret M., Erin Shoffstall, Kristyn T. Atkins, Nickolas Keane, Cynthia Bir, Pamela VandeVord, and Erin B. Lavik. "Intravenously Administered Nanoparticles Increase Survival Following Blast Trauma". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 111, no. 28 (15 July 2014): 10293–98. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1406979111.

Rights

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Subjects

Abstract

Explosions account for 79% of combat-related injuries, leading to multiorgan hemorrhage and uncontrolled bleeding. Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of death in battlefield traumas as well as in civilian life. We need to stop the bleeding quickly to save lives, but, shockingly, there are no treatments to stop internal bleeding. A therapy that halts bleeding in a site-specific manner and is safe, stable at room temperature, and easily administered is critical for the advancement of trauma care. To address this need, we have developed hemostatic nanoparticles that are administered intravenously. When tested in a model of blast trauma with multiorgan hemorrhaging, i.v. administration of the hemostatic nanoparticles led to a significant improvement in survival over the short term (1 h postblast). No complications from this treatment were apparent out to 3 wk. This work demonstrates that these particles have the potential to save lives and fundamentally change trauma care.