Sean Berenholtz, M.D., Assistant Professor

Sean Berenholtz is on the faculty at Johns Hopkins University, in the Division of Adult Critical Care Medicine (CCM), Department of Anesthesiology/CCM. His goal is to become an independent clinician scientist focused on applying rigorous research design to quality improvement in the intensive care unit, with an emphasis on evaluating alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion in critically ill patients. To realize this goal, he has enrolled in a formal advanced degree program in clinical investigation and he is receiving structured mentoring by senior investigators for the conduct of supervised, innovative research. He has obtained funding from The Eugene & Mary B. Meyer Center for Advanced Transfusion Practices and Blood Research and the General Clinical Research Center to conduct a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of epsilon aminocaproic acid in reducing allogeneic blood transfusion requirements in 170 patients undergoing spine surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The hypothesis is that patients receiving EACA will require 30% fewer allogeneic blood transfusions than patients receiving placebo, without additional thrombotic complications. Completion of the proposed research will significantly advance our knowledge of who is likely to require allogeneic transfusion, the complications associated with transfusion, and strategies to reduce transfusion exposure. In particular, successful implementation of the proposed clinical trial may decrease allogeneic transfusion exposure, and the risks associated with transfusion, in this patient population. These projects and the career development plan described will build a foundation for a successful career as an independent investigator.