Assessing the Current Generation of Tourniquets

Auto-transfusion tourniquets: the next evolution of tourniquets.

In this article, we discuss the relationship between hemorrhagic shock and the pathophysiology of shock using conventional tourniquets. We will focus on corollary benefits with the use of HemaClear(®), a self-contained, sterile, exsanguinating auto-transfusion tourniquet. This discussion will demonstrate that the use of auto-transfusion tourniquets is a practical evidence-based approach in flui...

The Return of Tourniquets

Uncontrolled hemorrhage from isolated penetrating extremity wounds can result in 100% mortality, but significant controversy still surrounds tourniquet use in civilian prehospital care. It’s been proposed that 10% of combat deaths in the Vietnam War resulted from uncontrolled hemorrhage from extremity wounds; many of the deaths were due solely to ineffective field hemorrhage control methods.1 M...

Forward assessment of 79 prehospital battlefield tourniquets used in the current war.

INTRODUCTION Battlefield tourniquet use can be lifesaving, but most reports are from hospitals with knowledge gaps remaining at the forward surgical team (FST). The quality of tourniquet applications in forward settings remain unknown. The purpose of this case series is to describe observations of tourniquet use at an FST in order to improve clinical performance. METHODS War casualties with t...

Chemical burns beneath tourniquets.

Tourniquets: a review of current use with proposals for expanded prehospital use.

The use of arterial tourniquets in prehospital emergency care has been fraught with controversy and superstition for many years despite the potential utility of these tools. This review examines this controversy in the context of the history of the tourniquet as well as its recent use in surgery and modern battlefield casualty care. Safe prehospital tourniquet use is widespread in the military ...