title: In vitro and in vivo evaluation of polymer hydrogels for hemorrhage control.
abstract: In vitro and in vivo experimentation of various synthetic polymer hydrogels was conducted to establish some of the integral material properties that influence hemostasis. In vitro swelling experiments suggested that positive electrostatic charge was a key determinant of the ability of a polymer hydrogel to absorb physiological fluids, e.g. human plasma and blood. In vitro testing using unadulterated sheep blood suggested positive electrostatic charge and crosslink density were key determinants of the ability of a material to induce or enhance clot formation. Hydrogel formulations composed of higher amounts of positive electrostatic charge and lower crosslink density were able to effectively induce and enhance clot formation in the presence of a coagulation cascade activator. In vivo experimentation confirmed that hydrogels containing higher electrostatic charge and low crosslink density are more effective at fostering the formation of a robust hemostatic plug to control blood loss.
authors.affiliation: a Fischell Department of Bioengineering , University of Maryland , 2330 Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building , College Park , MD , 20742 , USA.
authors.forename: Brendan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Behrens
authors.forename: Zois I
authors.initials: ZI
authors.lastname: Tsinas
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Zhongjun J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Bartley P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kofinas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D020100:Hydrogels; D011108:Polymers