UPMC Joins Clinical Trial to Test Abdominal Foam in Traumas

Trauma experts at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC will join a multi-center trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an experimental treatment for trauma-related abdominal bleeding.

The two-year study — REVIVE: Reducing Exsanguination Via In-Vivo Expandable Foam — will enroll patients with abdominal injuries involving severe internal bleeding. ResQfoam is an expandable foam designed to increase pressure in the abdominal cavity as it solidifies, with the goal of decreasing the amount of blood loss by molding to surrounding organs. 

“Abdominal internal bleeding can lead to death very quickly and each second is critical. Increasing the pressure from inside the abdomen could slow bleeding, allowing surgeons more time to treat the injury and increase the chance of survival,” said Jason Sperry, MD, professor of trauma and general surgery at Pitt’s School of Medicine and principal investigator of the trial, which will be conducted at UPMC Presbyterian. 

Because patients who have suffered these kinds of injuries are likely unable to consent to participation in the trial, it will be conducted under a federally authorized exception from the informed consent process. People who do not wish to participate in this research study can obtain a bracelet to opt out by contacting Arsenal Medical via email at optout@arsenalmedical.com. This research study is scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2019 and is funded by ResQfoam manufacturer Arsenal Medical. For more information, visit arsenalmedical.com/trials.