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

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.