A brief history of Canadian freeze-dried blood products: Ingenuity, collaboration, and leadership

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY During the Second World War, Canada became a leader in the development and production of products used to treat shock, particularly shock caused by massive bleeds. Canada started the first blood service in response to the need for blood products overseas. This was done in the form of freeze-dried serum, which is made up of fluid-based proteins extracted from blood. Freeze-dried serum could be stored indefinitely and was lightweight, hardy, and easy to deliver both to the battlefield and to the patient. Freeze-dried serum could be provided to patients in shock as a result of losing a large volume of blood. Unfortunately, after the war, freeze-dried blood products fell out of favour over concerns about viral hepatitis. Recently, freeze-dried blood products have enjoyed a renaissance, and Canada is currently developing a new product to meet the challenges of remote resuscitation.