3 Oct 2024
Patient recruitment to the SWIFT (Study of Whole blood In Frontline Trauma) trial, led by NHS Blood and Transplant, has closed three months ahead of schedule due to the success of the recruitment phase.
The trial involved 10 air ambulances across the UK and worked in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Air Ambulances UK, looking at whether transfusing ‘whole blood’ (blood containing plasma, red cells and platelets) is a better treatment for critically injured patients who are at risk of bleeding to death.
There is already past evidence that whole blood could lead to reduced mortality and reduce the amount of blood needed after patients arrive at hospital. However only a full randomised controlled trial such as SWIFT can provide the definitive answers.
The trial began on 15 December 2022, spearheaded by London’s Air Ambulance Charity. Now, the trial will move into the analysis phase. If benefits are found, the results of the trial could reduce trauma deaths in civilian accidents and in any situation where delaying a transfusion by seconds or minutes could be critical.
Dr Anne Weaver, Consultant at London’s Air Ambulance, who has been heavily involved in the SWIFT trial, said: "The early completion of patient recruitment for the SWIFT Trial underlines just how vital the use of blood is in trauma medicine.
“London’s Air Ambulance Charity is one of several partners across the country who helped make this possible, including air ambulance teams, hospitals, the Ministry of Defence and NHS Blood & Transplant. This trial represents a vital step forward in determining whether whole blood transfusion can provide better outcomes for patients with life-threatening injuries. If the analysis shows positive results, this could revolutionise trauma care, saving lives both in civilian emergencies and on the battlefield.
“I am incredibly proud of the role London's Air Ambulance has played in this groundbreaking research."
Professor Laura Green, co-Chief Investigator for SWIFT and Consultant in Haemostasis and Transfusion Medicine at NHS Blood and
Transplant, said:
“The role of air ambulances and transfusion laboratories in hospitals in providing blood components at the scene of an incident is crucial – delivering the most challenging treatments in the most challenging environments.
"We are thankful to be working in partnership with air ambulance organisations and the Defence Medical Services to drive innovation and research for critical patients. We are also incredibly grateful to our O Rh negative donors, whose universal donor blood is critical in trauma transfusion – including in this trial.”