Cyanide researcher wins top science award Published June 5, 2009 By Linda Frost 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A Wilford Hall doctor recently received one of the highest distinctions presented to a researcher. Maj. (Dr.) Vikhyat Bebarta, 59th Medical Wing toxicology chief and a staff emergency physician, is the recipient of the Best Basic Science Research Award by the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine for his research on evaluating treatments for cyanide poisoning. SAEM is an 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 made headway in providing better treatment for the men and women of the armed forces. Servicemembers can be 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. 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 said. Dr. Bebarta came up with an inovative model to study low blood pressure and cardiac arrest in toxicology. "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 said 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 said. "Everyone was involved, from 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," said Col. James King, 59th Emergency Medical Squadron commander. "Our research program is more robust now than it has ever been." "Doctor Bebarta is one of the brightest stars in a constellation of promising young Air Force emergency physicians who have dedicated themselves to academic pursuits. He is a superb clinician and educator and dedicated to excellence in patient care," Colonel King said. A staff member of the center's emergency department now for five years, Dr. Bebarta has served two deployments at the Air Force Theater Hospital, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, where he made contributions to the advancement of care for wounded warriors. "With young rising stars like Doctor Bebarta in our Air Force Medical Service, the future of academic medicine for our nation's military is brighter than ever," Colonel King said.