SWiFT Canada (Study of Whole Blood in Frontline Trauma)

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Trauma

In brief

Traumatic injuries affect people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Global Burden of Disease study showed that globally in 2019, there were more than 4.4 million deaths due to injury. Furthermore, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for people aged 5-29 years worldwide. Uncontrolled bleeding accounts for a significant proportion of these deaths, with approximately 20% occurring in the first 24 hours and 40% occurring within the first 30 days. Blood transfusion is a life-saving treatment in the management of bleeding patients until bleeding is controlled in hospital, typically delivered through different blood components (red blood cells, plasma and platelets). These components are derived from a whole blood donation and are stored in separate bags (units). There are challenges in carrying separate blood products, such as additional weight in kit bags, and transfusing multiple blood products at the scene can delay transport to hospital. In Ontario, Ornge Air Ambulance carries red blood cells and plasma to transfuse prehospital. However, a prehospital transfusion strategy has not been established and practice varies across the Canadian setting, and more broadly across the world. This trial aims to investigate if carrying and transfusing two units of whole blood instead of four units (two red blood cells and two plasma) is feasible and leads to better outcomes for patients.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06495294

Run by

Unity Health Toronto

People needed

60

Starts

2024-12-16

Expected to finish

2027-03-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-06

Who can join

Age: 16 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Patient who has suffered a traumatic injury
• Attended by a participating Ornge AAS clinical team
• Requires prehospital blood transfusion to treat major traumatic hemorrhage

You may not qualify if…

• Pediatric (age <16 or transported to pediatric trauma centre [if age unknown])
• No intravenous or intraosseous access (should be assessed prior to opening box)
• Knowledge that patient will object to being given blood transfusion for any reasons
• Blood already administered on-scene, prior to arrival of the participating Ornge AAS

Where it is running

• Ornge Air Ambulance — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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