Targeting polysaccharides such as chitosan, cellulose, alginate and starch for designing hemostatic dressings

Unfortunately hemorrhage and its complications (e.g. anemia, organ failure, and hypothermia) induced by traumatic injury, surgery, and disorders of bleeding play an all too familiar role in human morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is difficult to overstate the importance of better understanding the role of polysaccharides in advanced hemostatic dressings (HDs). This review includes consideration of polysaccharide hemostatic dressing mechanism of action, relative efficacy, cost and safety. Polysaccharide-based HDs are widely used in management not only of external and internal bleeding but also of massive hemorrhage. These polysaccharide-based HDs have been shown to be effective in both compressible and non-compressible hemorrhage. Hemostatic dressings are designed with different principles depending on location and extent of injury. This review focuses on polysaccharide HD design and associated hemostatic mechanisms. It addresses current issues, challenges, and future perspectives.