Stem cells, multiorgan failure in radiation emergency medical preparedness: a U.S./European Consultation Workshop

The concern of the public regarding terrorist actions involving nuclear emergencies resulted in the reopening of the discussion regarding the best ways to cope with the inevitable health impairments. Medical experts from the US and from Europe considered it of importance to harmonize at an international level the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches regarding the radiation-induced health impairments. The present contribution is the result of the first U.S./European Consultation Workshop addressing approaches to radiation emergency preparedness and assistance, which was held recently at Ulm University, Ulm, Germany. Discussions dealt with the assessment of the extent of damage after total body exposure and, in particular, the quantity and quality of the damage to the hematopoietic stem cell pool. Secondly, the pathogenesis of the multiorgan failure was considered because of the organ-to-organ interactions. Thirdly, approaches were considered to harmonize the "triage-methods" used on an international level using the "Response Category" approach as developed for the European Communities. These discussions lead to the conclusion that there is a strong need for continuing education of physicians, nurses, and support personnel to address the issues posed by the management of patients suffering from radiation syndromes. Finally, the discussions expressed the need for more international cooperation in research and development of more refined methods to treat patients with any type of radiation syndromes.