Effects of synthetic versus natural colloid resuscitation on inducing dilutional coagulopathy and increasing hemorrhage in rabbits.

Background: : On the basis of logistic benefits of colloids over crystalloids, the U.S. military selected Hextend for resuscitation of combat casualties in the field.

A novel swine model for evaluation of potential intravascular hemostatic agents.

Because uncontrolled hemorrhage is a leading cause of battlefield mortality, finding an intravenous treatment that could assist endogenous clotting mechanisms is a major mission for military researchers. Evaluation of potential intravenous hemostatic agents requires both in vitro and in vivo tests. For in vivo evaluation, we have developed a novel swine model in which 1) bleeding times (BT) and coagulation function could be ascertained after multiple doses of hemostatic drug administration and 2) a subsequent exsanguinating injury could be performed in the same animal, yielding screening information regarding the effects of drug pretreatment on blood loss and survival.