RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What is the clinical effectiveness of junctional tourniquets for controlling hemorrhagic wounds in adults?
- What is the safety associated with using junctional tourniquets for controlling hemorrhagic wounds in adults?
- What is the cost-effectiveness associated with the use of the following types of junctional tourniquets for controlling hemorrhagic wounds in adults: Abdominal Aortic Junctional Tourniquet, Junctional Emergency Treatment Tool, SAM Junctional TQ, and Combat Ready Clamp?
- What are the guidelines associated with the use of junctional tourniquets for controlling hemorrhagic wounds in adults?
KEY FINDINGS
No comparative clinical trials were identified on the effectiveness and safety of junctional tourniquets, and no cost-effectiveness information was found. The body of clinical evidence consists of case reports and prospective trials involving non-wounded volunteers. No clinical evidence was found on the JETT and SAM junctional tourniquets. A single case report illustrated the effectiveness of the CRoC in a field situation. Case reports of low quality and small size observational trials suggest that the AAJT can successfully prevent blood flow to the limbs, potentially saving lives. No safety concern was reported for any device. Guidelines primarily based on expert consensus recommend all devices except the AAJT, but the rationale for excluding the latter no longer applies.