Main Content

Kutcher begins Trauma Drug Study for Life-Saving Results

Dr. Matthew Kutcher, an associate professor of surgery and emergency medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), recalls a particularly memorable case from the Adult Emergency Department. The patient, involved in a heavy machinery accident, suffered a severe injury to a major artery in his leg.

“This injury resulted in significant blood loss,” Kutcher explained. “Fortunately, he received life-saving blood transfusions at a local hospital before being transferred to UMMC for surgery.”

Despite these initial interventions, by the time the patient arrived at UMMC, he had lost over two liters of blood and required multiple transfusions of red blood cells and plasma. “Even though we had replaced the lost blood, the patient’s blood wasn’t clotting properly, leading to ongoing bleeding,” said Dr. Joe Doherty, an assistant professor of emergency medicine who also treated the patient.

As the patient was rushed to the operating room, Kutcher and Doherty administered two crucial medications—calcium and vasopressin. “Calcium is essential for blood clotting, and its levels can drop during transfusion. Without correcting this deficiency, patients often continue to bleed despite receiving blood replacements,” Kutcher noted.

This scenario is the basis for the CAlcium and VAsopressin following Injury Early Resuscitation Trial (CAVALIER), which will be conducted at 15 trauma centers nationwide, including UMMC. The study aims to enroll 1,050 participants aged 18 to 90 who have suffered traumatic injuries with significant blood loss. Enrollments will be handled by emergency medical personnel either during transport to the hospital or upon arrival at UMMC.

“We hope to determine whether administering these life-saving medications sooner after an injury can improve survival rates,” said Kutcher, co-investigator for the UMMC site.

The CAVALIER trial operates under Exception from Informed Consent (EFIC), meaning that it involves potentially life-saving interventions in patients who cannot give consent due to their injuries. In cases where patients are severely injured and unable to consent, or their families are not immediately available, the trial will proceed without prior consent. Consent for continued participation will be sought from patients or their families as soon as possible.

UMMC was selected for the study due to its status as the state’s only Level I Trauma Center, known for its expertise in managing severe bleeding. The Medical Center is a member of the Department of Defense-funded LITES research network, which focuses on trauma, emergency services, and related research.

Community engagement efforts, including meetings and feedback sessions with hospitals, will be ongoing throughout the year. The trial at UMMC is expected to begin in the fall.

For more information about the CAVALIER trial or to complete an anonymous survey regarding EFIC studies, visit www.litesnetwork.org/CAVALIER.