HEMOTION Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
HEMOglobin transfusion threshold in Traumatic brain Injury OptimizatioN: The HEMOTION TRIAL PROTOCOL
IRAS ID
241691
Contact name
Tim Walsh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Universite Laval
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
The incidence of anaemia (a decrease in the quantity or quality of red blood cells) is frequent among critically ill patients. Because red blood cells, via molecules of haemoglobin, are oxygen carriers, a decrease in the availability of oxygen to end organs is often to fear. In patients with traumatic brain injury, mechanisms regulating oxygen delivery to the brain are affected by the injury. The development of anaemia may thus potentially worsen lesions to the brain. Transfusion of red blood cells may correct anaemia. However, transfusions are not harmless and, except in situations of major bleeding, few evidence-based data help guide clinicians treating patients with traumatic brain injury to determine what minimal red blood cell levels (haemoglobin) can be tolerated before a transfusion is required. This project aims to conduct a multicentre clinical trial (7 centres in the UK and 17 centres in Canada) to compare a restrictive transfusion strategy (transfusion when red blood cell levels are low with the objective to keep it low) to a liberal transfusion strategy (transfusion when the red blood cell levels are not too low with the objective to keep it high). We believe that a liberal transfusion strategy will allow better oxygen delivery to the brain, prevent secondary cerebral lesions and will improve long-term outcomes. This project is part of a vast research program aiming to identify when and under what circumstances should we give red blood cells following traumatic brain injury.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0199
Date of REC Opinion
13 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion