Baylor College of Medicine surgeons in the trauma center at Ben Taub General Hospital hope to determine if lowering blood pressure in patients undergoing operations to repair serious injuries to the chest and abdomen can reduce their risk of dying.
Because the study takes place in an emergency setting, the procedures must often take place before the patient or family members can agree or consent to take part.
Surveys of patients in the waiting rooms at Ben Taub show that most people agree with the intent of the study and feel that it is important, said Dr. Matthew Carrick, assistant professor of surgery at BCM.
These kind of surveys are required as part of federal regulations governing such emergency studies that can only be done without formal consent procedures. Almost anyone in the Houston-Harris County area who suffers such an injury could be entered into the study, and it is important to get community input before it is undertaken.
In this study, trauma patients will be assigned to one of two groups. In one group, blood pressure will be kept at normal levels. In the second group, the blood pressure will be lowered slightly by giving the patients slightly less fluid. Previously, surgeons at BCM and Ben Taub found that giving less fluid to trauma patients before and while they were transported to the hospital in ambulances resulted in a 10 percent decrease in the death rate. This study builds on the findings in that one.
All patients in the study will receive usual care for their injuries. The only difference will be lowering blood pressure in one group during surgery.
This study begins in May and will continue for two to three years, enrolling 250 to 300 patients. Those who do not wish to take part in the study may call or write to Carrick to obtain a free bracelet. Wearing the bracelet alerts the trauma surgeons at Ben Taub that the patient does not wish to be part of this study.