The Effect of Haemostatic Dressing Prototypes for the Emergency Services in the Porcine Haemostatic System

Coagulopathy can develop when hemostatic dressings are used to stop massive bleeding, even in patients without prior history of clotting disorders. The selection of procoagulants, which effectively control bleeding and prevent disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and thrombosis, is a significant challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two prototypes of haemostatic dressing in the porcine haemostatic system.

The total number of animals used in our experiments was 24. Group I: pigs were treated with the developed prototype of sponge dressing, made of Na-Ca chitosan/algal composite of microfibers and nanofibers. Group II: animals were treated with a seton gauze modified with a polymer mixture of Na-Ca chitosan/algal composite of microfibers and nanofibers. Group III: animals were treated with non-hemostatic dressing and this group was the control. Blood was sampled five times to determine changes in the coagulation and fibrinolytic profiles: before injury: i) at 1 h, ii) at 24 h, iii) at 7, and iv) at 14 days following injury.

Significant changes were observed in the coagulation parameters, in the total numbers of white blood cells and platelets in groups I and II, compared to controls.

The modified haemostatic dressings used in this study produced a strong procoagulant effect in pigs. This, together with high fibrinogen concentrations, which can cause DIC, require further studying.