Comparison of poly-N-acetyl glucosamine with commercially available topical hemostats for achieving hemostasis in coagulopathic models of splenic hemorrhage.

Background: The hemostatic quality of the poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (p-GlcNAc) patch was compared with a fibrin sealant, fibrin bandage, and cellulose patch.

Methods: A 2 x 2-cm capsular strip to a depth of 3 mm of the swine spleen was used as a source of bleeding. Splenic lacerations were created in hemophilia B dogs and treated with p-GlcNAc and Surgicel. Wounds were created in rabbits and treated with p-GlcNAc at 37degreesC and after keeping body core temperature at 29degreesC.

Results: Poly-N-acetyl glucosamine was able to achieve hemostasis with greater efficacy than either of the fibrin-based bandages. In the hemophilia B dog study, p-GlcNAc significantly outperformed Surgicel, with p-GlcNAc achieving hemostasis in 75% of the treated wounds compared with 17% for the cellulose patch. The hypothermia study demonstrated that p-GlcNAc is equally effective at 29degreesC and at 37degreesC.

Conclusion: Poly-N-acetyl glucosamine was effective at controlling bleeding in animals with experimentally induced or genetic coagulopathic disorders.