Effects of Thermal Status on Markers of Blood Coagulation During Simulated Hemorrhage

Hemorrhage is a leading cause of deaths on the battlefield. An understanding of the mechanisms and modulators of coagulopathy under conditions soldiers currently experience on the battlefield is important for improved treatment of the hemorrhaging soldier. The global objective of this project tests the hypothesis that environmental and physiological conditions a soldier experiences on the battlefield alters hemodynamic and hemostatic function i.e., coagulation and fibrinolysis. During the current funding period we completed the objectives in specific aim 1A test the hypothesis that passive heat stress alters hemostatic function during simulated hemorrhage and are well on our way towards completing the objectives of aim 1B Dehydration during exercise in the heat alters hemostatic function during simulated hemorrhage. For Aim 1A, subjects completed four visits familiarization, a passive heat stress, a normothermic control, and a time control. For Aim 1B, each subject will likewise complete four visits familiarization, exercise without dehydration, and two exercise with dehydration trials. TEG based assays have been obtained while plasma-based assays for Aim 1A are currently being run in at USAISR. We anticipate the plasma based assays for Aim 1B will be run by USAISR in the Fall of 2014 through early Winter of 2015.