Hemostatic agents derived from chitin and chitosan

A recent review detailing the role of new hemostatic agents for battlefield hemorrhage control describes the interest in and necessary specifications for such materials. As a consequence, the Defense Department authorized the development and use of three deployable and FDA approved hemostatic agents: Zeolite "Quikclot and chitosanic "Hemcon and the American Red Cross Fibrin Dressing. Although chitosan has a number of advantages over the other hemostatic agents, it is the least understood of the three agents noted above. The use of chitosan and chitin in different physical forms as a hemostatic agent is described. The chemical properties of chitosan related to hemostatis possibly include: molecular weight, extent of ionization, counter ion, degree of deacetylation, and degree of crystallinity. Also, its ability to bind with tissues are a function of these parameters. Chitosan can be used in medical and surgical procedures by its direct application to a bleeding surface using the various physical forms such as powder, solution, coating, film, hydrogel, and filament composite.