You state that "avoidance of allogeneic transfusion has been adopted as the standard efficacy end-point for these agents" however Polyheme, as I understand it, is a human blood product and although it does not appear to carry the risks of traditional allogeneic blood products I would imagine that those opposing blood on religous grounds would have the same opposition to Polyheme. Has anyone found this to be true?

This link lists all trial sites and contacts.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/sho...076648?order=3

I spoke to someone at Jehovah Witness' who indicated that their group, based upon biblical beliefs, holds that humans should not recieve whole blood or any of its four primary components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets. They indicated that while they would not officially endorse a product such as Polyheme, it would be up to the individual to make their own decision since PolyHeme is derived by extracting hemoglobin from RBCs, and then processing it several times.

"Blood substitute to be studied in trauma patients
" http://www.uthscsa.edu/hscnews/singl....asp?newID=772

This is another example showing community education that has to accompany the clinical trial.

__________________
Jorge Martinez
Manager
Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program
Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center
Chula Vista, CA
Toll free - 866-USE NO BLOOD (866-873-6625)
619-482-4037

Each of these studies that are being done required that the community be educated
regarding the product and the need for identification if one wants to be exempted from participation in the program. The community input is very important to the study and has been successful (to my knowledge) in each of the areas of the study. The "upset" over the lack of consent seems to be largely a media issue. Does one get consent on a person before performing the heimlich maneuver or cpr or pulling them from a burning car or the water when drowning? The request for a consent in this case is not possible as it is only to be used on those who are in hemorragic shock. Therefore only those who would be normally eligible and who indicate by some form of identification such as a wrist band or card etc will not be entered into the study but receive standard treatment.

__________________
Jan Graziani - LVN
Chicago, IL USA

My interest is related to the point in the 6/15/04 WT questions from readers, in which fractions such as bilirubin and immunogobulins are presented as substances that go through the placenta to the child. My questions revolve around which fractions do this - do they have to be in a cell in order to not traverse the placenta? And does anyone know if PolyHeme does? How about interferons and interleukins, which come from white blood cells? Do they traverse the placenta? Thanks for this great source of medical information.

I'm new to this site. I am a Jehovah Witness. I wish to do some research on fractions but what I read is in medical speak. Are there any articles about fractions that any jane doe can read and understand?

I can be emailed privately at moodog0034@yahoo.com