The effects of alginate and non-alginate wound dressings on blood coagulation and platelet activation.

Alginates are used as haemostats in wound dressings. They act as calcium ion (Ca) donors as they contain mannuronic (M) or guluronic (G) groups with a high Ca content. This study compared the effects of calcium and zinc containing alginates and non-alginate dressings on blood coagulation and platelet activation to determine which was the best haemostat. We showed that alginate materials activated coagulation more than non-alginate materials. The extent of coagulation activation was affected differently by the alginate M or G group composition. It was demonstrated that alginates containing zinc ions had the greatest potentiating effect on prothrombotic coagulation and platelet activation.