[Use of chitosan in medicine and biomedical engineering]

Applicability of different forms of chitosan in medicine and biomedical engineering has been discussed on the basis of a literature survey. Attention was paid to the use of chitosan as a drug carrier and as a pharmacological agent in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Suitability of the polymer was proved in the process of blood purification (LDL-apheresis, haemoperfusion, dialysis) and wound healing (dressings). A possibility of using it in biohybrid artificial organs and as athrombogenic surfaces was also mentioned.