Chitosan arrests bleeding in major hepatic injuries with clotting dysfunction: an in vivo experimental study in a model of hepatic injury in the presence of moderate systemic heparinisation.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of two chitosan formulations, Omni-Stat® granules and Celox Gauze®, in a model of major hepatic injury in the presence of clotting dysfunction.


METHODS
Major hepatic injuries in moderately heparinised swine were treated with either Omni-Stat® granules or Celox Gauze® as compared to control plain gauze.


RESULTS
Plain gauze control failed to stop the bleeding in 13 of 14 attempts. Omni-Stat® arrested the bleeding in 18 of 18 attempts, providing it was in contact with the bleeding surface. Celox Gauze® arrested bleeding in 5 out of 6 attempts initially, and with further pressure in the sixth.


CONCLUSIONS
The results support the evidence that chitosan-derived products act independently of classical clotting pathways and should be effective in patients who suffer major liver injury even in the presence of clotting dysfunctions.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, UK. russellmillner@btinternet.com
Russell
R
Millner
Alan S
AS
Lockhart
Rebecca
R
Marr
D000818:Animals; D001458:Bandages; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006489:Hemostatic Techniques; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D034421:Sus scrofa; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006490:Hemostatics; D048271:Chitosan