Chitosan arrests bleeding in major hepatic injuries with clotting dysfunction: an in vivo experimental study in a model of hepatic injury in the presence of moderate systemic heparinisation.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of two chitosan formulations, Omni-Stat (R) granules and Celox Gauze (R), in a model of major hepatic injury in the presence of clotting dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS Major hepatic injuries in moderately heparinised swine were treated with either Omni-Stat (R) granules or Celox Gauze (R) as compared to control plain gauze. RESULTS Plain gauze control failed to stop the bleeding in 13 of 14 attempts. Omni-Stat (R) arrested the bleeding in 18 of 18 attempts, providing it was in contact with the bleeding surface. Celox Gauze (R) arrested bleeding in 5 out of 6 attempts initially, and with further pressure in the sixth. CONCLUSIONS The results support the evidence that chitosan-derived products act independently of classical clotting pathways and should be effective in patients who suffer major liver injury even in the presence of clotting dysfunctions.