Tulane Medicine part of national trauma care study

Tulane University School of Medicine will participate as a local site of a national clinical trial to see if delivering two common therapies for blood loss sooner will improve outcomes for trauma patients. 

Normally, when a person loses a lot of blood, they may receive calcium, vasopressin, or both as part of standard medical care, but not until they arrive at the hospital or are admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). The CAlcium and VAsopressin following Injury Early Resuscitation trial (CAVALIER), is a research study that will look at whether giving calcium, vasopressin, or both early in the course of treatment would help severely injured patients that lose a lot of blood survive their injuries. 

The trial aims to enroll 1,050 participants, aged 18 to 90, who have experienced traumatic injuries with significant blood loss. Enrollment may occur during transport to the hospital or upon arrival at the Norman McSwain Level I Trauma Center at University Medical Center New Orleans (UMCNO). 

This study operates under an Exception from Informed Consent (EFIC) protocol, which allows medical personnel to provide urgent, potentially life-saving treatments to patients who are too injured to give consent. Consent for continued participation in the study will be sought from the patients or their family members as soon as it is feasible. 

CAVALIER is being conducted at 11 trauma centers nationwide, including UMCNO, reflecting a significant effort in trauma care research. The trial's findings have the potential to influence and update current trauma care practices and guidelines across the country, said study investigator Juan Duchesne, MD, Chief of Trauma, Acute Care and Critical Care Surgery at Tulane University School of Medicine. 

For more information about the CAVALIER trial or to participate in an anonymous survey regarding the study, please visit www.litesnetwork.org/CAVALIER or contact 504-988-5272. 

This research is supported by the Department of Defense under contract W81XWH-16-D-0024 W81XWH18F0426. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government. 

Please join our virtual community forum discussing the Calcium and Vasopressin following Injury Early Resuscitation (CAVALIER) Trial. 

This forum will be hosted via ZOOM on 

Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 12:00 noon 

https://tulanehipaa.zoom.us/j/99452893665?pwd=luWnqF5JmaqddyPMgpRrfmdFBOuw0t.1 

and 

Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 5:00 pm 

https://tulanehipaa.zoom.us/j/98662961717?pwd=FYg8RfUsYr2QMth7ehwTjaezUvIq1z.1 

You will have a chance to speak with Juan Duchesne, MD, the Trauma Surgeon leading the trial in this area, ask questions, and learn about trauma research. 

For more information regarding this study, please click this link or contact us at (504) 988-5272.