A novel sodium polyacrylate-based stasis dressing to treat lethal hemorrhage in a penetrating trauma swine model.

BACKGROUND

Control of massive hemorrhage from penetrating wound sites is difficult in both combat and civilian settings. A new hemostatic dressing, sodium polyacrylate (PAAs)-based bag (PB), based on PAAs is designed for the first aid of massive penetrating hemorrhage. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of PB in a penetrating trauma model in swine.

METHODS

A complex groin penetrating injury was produced in swine by completely excising the femoral vessels and surrounding muscles. After 15-second free bleeding, 18 healthy Guizhou female swine were administered PB (n = 6), CELOX-A (n = 6; Medtrade Products, Crewe, United Kingdom), or standard gauze (n = 6) for hemostatic intervention, followed by 3-minute compression if the bleeding persisted, with subsequent observation continuing for 1 hour. The primary outcomes included initial hemostasis, the incidence of applying manual pressure, and application time.

RESULTS

Sodium polyacrylate could rapidly absorb the liquid to expand, crosslink with a large number of red blood cells, induce cellular morphological alteration, and promote blood coagulation. Sodium polyacrylate-based bag and CELOX-A initiated and sustained hemostasis for 60 minutes, whereas 0% of the standard gauze achieved initial hemostasis. Maximum number of manual compressions were applied in standard gauze (6 of 6 [100%]), followed by CELOX-A (5 of 6 [80%]), while no manual pressure was required in the case of PB (0 of 6 [0%]). Application time for PB (19.0 ± 4.6 seconds) was significantly less than CELOX-A (169.0 ± 73.5 seconds) and standard gauze (187.8 ± 1.7 seconds).

CONCLUSION

We prepared a type of superabsorbent PAAs and made an original hemostatic dressing, PB. It can rapidly achieve durable hemostasis in the groin-penetrating trauma hemorrhage swine model without any external compression. The packet form makes PB easy to deploy and remove from wounds. Therefore, PB could be a promising hemostatic candidate for controlling penetrating hemorrhage.