This project evaluated novel small-volume hypertonic fluids for combat resuscitation for improvement in patient survivability and reduction of the post-traumatic inflammatory response, and for reducing overall fluid volume requirements. The outcome has demonstrated that there is no clinically significant difference in resuscitating shock and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with either normal or hypertonic saline. However, from a military operational medical care perspective, the less than 10% hypertonic fluid volume (versus normal saline volume) required to generate the same clinical outcome confers a substantial logistical advantage in the field. Deputy Surgeon General has confirmed that Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) will seek Health Canada approval of hypertonic saline fluids for military use, in consultation with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) and Department of Defense (DoD).
