Scientist profiles M-R

Education:

• MD, State University of Campinas, Brazil
• Residency, general surgery, State University of Campinas, Brazil
• Residency, general surgery, University of Toronto, Canada
• Fellowship, trauma and critical care, University of Toronto, Canada
• PhD, molecular biology, University of Toronto, Canada

Appointments and Affiliations:

• Affiliate scientist, Biological Sciences, Trauma, Emergency & Critical Care Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Associate professor, surgery and critical care medicine, University of Toronto
• De Sousa Chair in Clinical Trauma Research
• Investigator, Canadian Institutes of Health Research and NovoNordisk
• Region XII (Eastern Canada) chief, committee on trauma, American College of Surgeons

Research Focus:

• Clinical trials in resuscitation, coagulation and inflammation

Research Summary:

The focus of Dr. Rizoli's research has evolved from basic science molecular biology to translational studies to full-scale clinical trials, with the goal of reducing the gap between basic science and clinical application. He has more than 160 peer-reviewed publications in medical journals, including the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Journal of Immunology and the Lancet.

Dr. Rizoli's research is focused on hemorrhage and the transfusion of blood and blood products during life-threatening bleeding. Projects include the following:

Hypertonic modulation in inflammation and coagulation following injury:

• This is a clinical and laboratory trial investigating whether administering hypertonic saline to trauma patients leads to a reduction in the inflammatory response and organ dysfunction.
• This multicentre study is supported by a National Institutes of Health grant (shared with American colleagues) and a Defense Research and Development Canada grant.

Early coagulopathy in trauma and thromboelastography:

• This is a clinical trial investigating why trauma patients cannot clot appropriately and whether a thromboelastography test can assist physicians in transfusing blood to these patients.
• It is supported by a Defense Research and Development Canada grant.

Formula-driven versus laboratory-guided transfusion practices in bleeding trauma patients (TRFL study):

• This is a clinical trial investigating whether bleeding trauma patients have a better chance of surviving if they are resuscitated from the start with a large volume of blood and blood products instead of current resuscitation strategies.
• It is supported by the Canadian Forces Health Services.

Selected Publications:

See current publications list at PubMed.

1. Callum JL, Nascimento B, Tien H, Rizoli S. Formula-driven versus lab-driven massive transfusion protocols: At a state of clinical equipoise. Transfus Med Rev. 2009;23(4):247–54.
2. Hess JR, Brohi K, Dutton RP, Hauser CJ, Holcomb JB, Kluger Y, Mackway-Jones K, Parr MJ, Rizoli SB, Yukioka T, Hoyt DB, Bouillon B. The coagulopathy of trauma: a review of mechanisms. J Trauma. 2008;65(4):748–54.
3. Parr MJ, Bouillon B, Brohi K, Dutton RP, Hauser CJ, Hess JR, Holcomb JB, Kluger Y, Mackway-Jones K, Rizoli SB, Yukioka T, Hoyt DB. Traumatic coagulopathy: where are the good experimental models? J Trauma. 2008;65(4):766–71.
4. Rizoli SB, Rhind SG, Shek PN, Inaba K, Tien H, Brenneman F, Rotstein O. The immunomodulatory effects of hypertonic saline resuscitation in patients sustaining traumatic hemorrhagic shock: A randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial. Ann Surg. 2006;243(1):47–57.
5. Rizoli SB, Boffard KD, Riou B, Warren B, Iau P, Kluger Y, Rossaint R, Tillinger M. Recombinant activated factor VII as an adjunctive therapy for bleeding control in severe trauma patients with coagulopathy. Crit Care. 2006;10(6):178.

Related News and Stories:

• Trauma ties: SRI doc is appointed de Souza Chair in Clinical Trauma Research (Jan. 27, 2008)
• Summer students show science smarts: The scientists of tomorrow showcase their research at SRI's annual summer student poster competition day (Sept. 28, 2004)
• By accident: A 26-person clinical trial led by Dr. Sandro Rizoli hints that hypertonic saline may be an effective treatment after all (from Sunnybrook Research Institute Research Report, 2002–2004)

Related Links:

• U of T profile, division of general surgery