People in Sheffield are being recruited to help research the best way to stop bleeding in patients with severe injuries

The trial has been set up to research the best way to stop bleeding in patients with severe injuries.

The UK-REBOA trial is looking at whether inserting a balloon into the aorta, the main artery that carries blood away from the heart, of a patient with life threatening bleeding from their abdomen or pelvis can improve their outcome.

Doctor Stuart Reid, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Major Trauma, is the Principal Investigator for the study at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

He said: “It is very exciting for us to be able to contribute to cutting edge major trauma research in the UK.

“It is the result to close collaboration between a number of specialties within the Sheffield Adult Major Trauma Centre and the research teams.”

Bleeding is the most common cause of preventable death after severe injury, and research has shown that early treatment for it can save lives. Stopping the bleeding usually requires an operation.

REBOA, which stands for Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta, is a new treatment that involves passing a small inflatable balloon into the aorta to stop the bleeding until the patient can be taken to an operating theatre, when the balloon is then removed.

The trial aims to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of REBOA, in addition to the standard treatment. It is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals is one of the UK’s largest NHS Foundation Trusts and one of the largest and busiest teaching hospitals. It has over 17,000 staff caring for over two million patients each year.

The REBOA study is led and coordinated by Mr Jan Jansen and Professor Marion Campbell of the University of Aberdeen.

The photo shows, left to right, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Major Trauma Doctor Steve Rowe,

Trauma Nurse Coordinator Neil Strawbridge, Trauma Nurse Coordinator Sammie Leonard, Doctor Stuart Reid, Research Nurse Anna Wilson and Research Nurse Sarah Bird.