In Situ Dual-Cross-Linked Porous Hydrogels with Strong Adhesion and Mechanical Strength for Emergency Hemostasis in...

Hemostatic materials often fail under severe hemorrhage, such as cardiac and femoral artery rupture conditions. Enhancement of adhesion and mechanical properties can effectively address the above challenges. In this study, we report an in situ ultraviolet light cross-linked and chemical cross-linked hydrogel system (GMOSB_S) composed of methacryloylated gelatin (GelMA) and oxidized sodium alginate (OSA), forming a dual-cross-linked network via UV curing and Schiff base reactions. The incorporation of tannic acid (TA) imparts antimicrobial activity and prevents unwanted tissue adhesion through the TA-Ca²⁺ complexation. GMOSB_S exhibits excellent adhesive strength (39.44 kPa) and mechanical stiffness (Young's modulus: 2451.21 kPa). In the rat model, GMOSB_S effectively sealed bleeding cardiac and femoral artery wounds, significantly reducing blood loss and hemostatic time, achieving hemostasis in 77.8 ± 5.7 s for cardiac rupture and in 76.8 ± 5.1 s for femoral artery injury. These findings underscore the promising potential of GMOSB_S as a life-saving material for rapid emergency hemostasis.