Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2010

Mentor: Ravi Sarode, MD
Department: Pathology
Room number: CS3.114
Mail Code: 9073
Phone number: 214-648-7887
E-mail: ravi.sarode@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: To evaluate efficacy of Trauma Coumadin Protocol (TCP) in patients on warfarin who present with head or torso trauma

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 022008-070

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): NA

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects): Patient-based research

Brief Description of Project: Warfarin is commonly used oral anticoagulant. Its commonest complication is bleeding. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is the most serious bleeding with more than 50% mortality. Thus, rapid reversal of warfarin is critical for controlling ICH bleed. At Parkland we use a unique protocol that includes prothrombin complex concentrate and recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) instead of plasma because the TCP reverses the INR within minutes of infusion these concentrates as opposed to several hours with plasma. We are evaluating TCP's efficacy in INR reversal and also looking at its effect on imaging studied to see if the expansion of ICH was controlled. The student will participate in reviewing the clinical data including vitamin K administration and image data either from the medical chart or electronic medical records for last 3 years. Parts of study have been presented as abstract/posters by the resident and fellow in the division of transfusion medicine.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students: Previously STAR students had participated in similar projects with a couple of publications. However, potential for medical student is much higher. The division of transfusion medicine has published over 40 manuscripts in last 10 years and is a fertile field for dynamic and bright individual with clinical research involving cost-effectiveness and changing old practices.