Hemostatic Efficacy and Biocompatibility Evaluation of a Novel Absorbable Porous Starch Hemostat

A novel absorbable porous starch hemostat (APSH) based on calcium ion-exchange crosslinked porous starch microparticles (Ca²⁺CPSM) was developed to improve hemostasis during surgeries for irregular cuts. The aim of this study was to compare its hemostatic efficacy and biocompatibility in a standard rat liver injury model relatively to Arista AH, Quickclean, and crosslinked porous starch microparticles (CPSM, without calcium ion).

72 Wistar rats (220g-240 g) were randomly assigned to six groups (Arista, Quickclean, CPSM, Ca²⁺CPSM, native potato starch, and untreated control group, n =12 per group). 30 mg of each hemostatic agent was applied to a standard circular liver excision (8 mm in diameter and 3 mm deep) in rats. Following their hemostatic efficacy, in vivo biocompatiblity evaluation was examined. The native potato starch (NPS) group was used as the negative group.

Ca²⁺CPSM had almost the same hemostatic efficacy compared with Arista; meanwhile, all the 4 hemostatic agents had good blood compatibility. In terms of in vivo tissue compatibility, Ca²⁺CPSM had relatively fast degradation and absorption rate with good histocompatibility. As the morphological, anatomic observation and H&E staining of liver defects after implantation, Ca²⁺CPSM was almost completely absorbed by liver tissue after 14 days.

According to our study, Ca²⁺CPSM could effectively achieve hemostasis in the standard rat liver injury model and exhibited good blood compatibility and in vivo tissue compatibility. These finding suggested that Ca²⁺CPSM as a new kind of APSH had its extensive clinical application value.