AVERT Shock: Arginine Vasopressin During the Early Resuscitation of Traumatic Shock

Trauma patients, who are transfused with multiple blood products to treat shock due to blood loss, frequently develop inappropriately low vasopressin levels. Vasopressin is a hormone necessary to maintain an adequate blood pressure and low levels have been associated with the need for increased transfusions, vasopressors and additional morbidity. Vasopressin is routinely used in the ICU to treat septic shock and other disease processes resulting in decreased vasopressin levels and low blood pressure. This study will investigate the potential benefit of early vasopressin supplementation during the resuscitation of trauma patients and the applicability of using copeptin as a vasopressin biomarker. Trauma patients who receive 6 or more units of blood product within 12 hours of arrival will be randomized to receive a vasopressin bolus plus infusion or a similar volume of a placebo (normal saline) for 48 hours. Serial blood samples will be taken for 5 days post-injury. Clinical and demographic data will be recorded prospectively.