Air Force researcher wins top science award

  • Published
  • By Linda Frost
  • 59 Medical Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  A Wilford Hall doctor has received one of the highest distinctions a researcher can achieve, according to medical officials here.

Maj. (Dr) Vikhyat Bebarta, chief of medical toxicology and a staff emergency physician, is the recipient of the Best Basic Science Research Award, presented by the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine, for his research on evaluating treatments for cyanide poisoning.

SAEM is the premier organization for emergency medicine research and is dedicated to the improvement of care for the acutely ill and injured patient by improving research and education.

The year-long research involved the comparison of two antidotes to determine the most effective treatment for cases of cyanide poisoning resulting in cardiac arrest or death.

The study makes headway in providing better treatment for the men and women of the Armed Forces. Service members are exposed to building fires in the U.S and in combat, and they can be exposed to cyanide. It is a high-level terrorist threat and has been used as a weapon by terrorists.

"In the emergency department we see critically ill patients with cyanide toxicity from house fires and from overdoses," said Dr. Bebarta.  "Cyanide is also a big concern for terrorism and, being in the military, I chose to study this threat to improve our care."

Dr. Bebarta came up with an animal model to study low blood pressure and cardiac arrest in toxicology, which has never been performed.

"In the project, subjects were induced into shock by cyanide," he said. "Two antidote kits, an older version and a newer one, were used and evaluated in the treatment. It is the first time the two antidotes have been compared and also used to treat cyanide-induced shock."

The findings showed the newer antidote caused a faster and higher rise in blood pressure in subjects critically ill with low pressure due to the cyanide toxicity. It also removed all cyanide from the blood, while the older antidote did not.

Dr. Bebarta says it takes a "village" to complete these research projects.

"The 59th Medical Wing's Clinical Research Department was very helpful in making this a success," he added. "Everyone was involved, from the (people in the) laboratory to the veterinary staff, statisticians, supply custodians, a research nurse, a chief scientist, and senior leadership."

"Through Vik's leadership, our Department of Emergency Medicine has enjoyed a resurgence in the pursuit of research. Our research program is more robust now than it has ever been," said Col. James King, 59th Emergency Medical Squadron commander.

"Dr. Bebarta is one of the brightest stars in a constellation of promising young Air Force emergency physicians who have dedicated themselves to academic pursuits," said Colonel King. "He is a superb clinician and educator and dedicated to excellence in patient care."

A staff member of the WHMC Emergency Department now for five years, Dr. Bebarta has served two deployments at the Air Force Theater Hospital at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, where he made contributions to the advancement of care for wounded warriors.

"With young rising stars like Dr. Bebarta in our Air Force Medical Service, the future of academic medicine for our nation's military is brighter than ever," said Colonel King.