Omni-Stat (Chitosan) arrests bleeding in heparinised subjects in vivo: an experimental study in a model of major peripheral vascular injury.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of Omni-Stat (Chitosan) in a model of major haemorrhage in the presence of clotting dysfunction. METHOD: A total of 12 major femoral artery bleeds in moderately heparinised swine treated with Omni-Stat (Chitosan) were compared with five control bleeds. RESULTS: Haemostasis was successfully achieved at first treatment in 10 of 12 bleeds and at second treatment in the remaining two bleeds. CONCLUSION: The study supports the evidence that Omni-Stat (Chitosan) acts independently of classical clotting pathways and should be effective in patients with clotting dysfunctions, who suffer major haemorrhage. It also suggests the potential for a role in cardiac surgery.