Overview
Researchers at the University of Washington based at Harborview Medical Center are joining a national study through the Strategies to Innovate Emergency Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN), to learn if either of two strategies for monitoring and treating patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is more likely to help them get better.
Randall Chesnut, MD is principal investigator for this clinical study.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is sudden damage to the brain caused by an outside force to the head – such as a car crash, a fall, or something hitting the head.
- Every 15 seconds someone in the US suffers a major TBI.
- Every five minutes someone is forever disabled as a result of TBI.
- TBI is the leading cause of death and disability in children and adults 1-44 years of age.
TBI can affect a person’s ability to think and remember things, cause problems with balance and coordination, prevent a person from functioning independently, cause permanent brain damage or even death.
Both of the strategies in this study are used in standard care. It is unknown if one is more effective than the other. In one strategy doctors concentrate only on preventing high ICP (intracranial pressure) caused by a swollen brain. In the other strategy doctors try to prevent high ICP, and also try to prevent low PbtO2 (brain oxygen). It is unknown if measuring and treating low brain oxygen is more effective, less effective, or the same as monitoring and treating high brain pressure alone. The results of this study will help doctors discover if one of these methods is more safe and effective.
The researchers are seeking feedback from the community regarding the conduct of this study. There is additional information in the attached power-point presentation. There is also a short survey attached where you can add your feedback. Additionally, individuals can opt out of participating in the study by wearing a bracelet that reads “NO STUDY.” The bracelet indicates that, should you be injured, medical care providers will exclude you from the research. If you have questions or would like additional information about this study please contact the Research Team at 206.897.1779 or email: boost3@uw.edu.
We will attempt to return e-mails and calls during business hours. We will not keep any personal information you provide, nor will we share any of your personal information with anyone.
Seattle enrollment begins this summer, and the study will conclude in early 2023.