title: The effects of alginate and non-alginate wound dressings on blood coagulation and platelet activation.
abstract: Alginates are used as haemostats in wound dressings. They act as calcium ion (Ca) donors as they contain mannuronic (M) or guluronic (G) groups with a high Ca content. This study compared the effects of calcium and zinc containing alginates and non-alginate dressings on blood coagulation and platelet activation to determine which was the best haemostat. We showed that alginate materials activated coagulation more than non-alginate materials. The extent of coagulation activation was affected differently by the alginate M or G group composition. It was demonstrated that alginates containing zinc ions had the greatest potentiating effect on prothrombotic coagulation and platelet activation.
authors.affiliation: Research Haematology Group, Harefield Hospital, Middlesex, UK.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gilding
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001458:Bandages; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006490:Hemostatics; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D006801:Humans; D015539:Platelet Activation; D012016:Reference Values; D013917:Thrombin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000991:Antithrombins; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006490:Hemostatics; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D013917:Thrombin; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium