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This week on Health Watch, we're talking about emergency medical treatments that save lives when seconds count. Previously, we reported on a major study that will test new emergency treatments. One treatment is aimed at trauma patients with severe blood loss or brain injury. Emergency personnel will use different types of saline solutions when treating these patients so researchers can compare and see which is most effective. One kind of solution has a high concentration of saline, along with a substance that improves circulation. All of these treatments have been found to be safe and effective. The question is, which is most effective on seriously injured patients to help restore circulation after critical blood loss.

Dr. Paul Pepe, chairman of emergency medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, says a study like this can improve survival rates for patients who may have a grim prognosis.

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July 2006

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