An injectable hemostatic PEG-based hydrogel with on-demand dissolution features for emergency care

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Uncontrolled internal bleeding from noncompressible wounds is a significant cause of mortality.
• Current hemostatic sealants require manual pressure and mechanical debridement, complicating subsequent surgical treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an injectable, dissolvable hydrogel sealant for effective hemorrhage management of noncompressible wounds.
• To create a sealant that controls bleeding and can be removed non-traumatically for operating room procedures.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized a 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) crosslinker with thioester linkages and aldehyde groups.
• Formulated an adhesive and elastic hydrogel sealant using a mixed amino component (poly(ethylene imine) and adipic dihydrazide).
• Evaluated sealant performance in rat femoral artery puncture and liver injury models, assessing hemostasis and dissolvability.

Main Results:

• The hydrogel sealant demonstrated rapid adhesion and elastic properties, providing effective hemostasis in animal models.
• On-demand dissolution was achieved via thiol-thioester exchange, allowing atraumatic sealant removal without re-bleeding.
• The sealant significantly reduced blood loss and facilitated non-traumatic wound re-exposure for surgical care.

Conclusions:

• Developed an injectable hydrogel sealant with on-demand dissolution for efficient hemorrhage control.
• This novel sealant addresses the unmet clinical need for materials that control bleeding and allow non-traumatic removal.
• The sealant offers a promising solution for emergent care and subsequent surgical interventions in cases of severe internal bleeding.