Biomaterials for Hemostasis

Uncontrolled bleeding is a major problem in trauma and emergency medicine. While materials for trauma applications would certainly find utility in traditional surgical settings, the unique environment of emergency medicine introduces additional design considerations, including the need for materials that are easily deployed in austere environments. Ideally, these materials would be available off the shelf, could be easily transported, and would be able to be stored at room temperature for some amount of time. Both natural and synthetic materials have been explored for the development of hemostatic materials. This review article provides an overview of classes of materials used for topical hemostats and newer developments in the area of injectable hemostats for use in emergency medicine.

Automated summary

Uncontrolled bleeding is a significant issue in trauma and emergency medicine, and there is a need for easily deployable hemostatic materials in austere environments. This review provides an overview of materials used for topical hemostats and new advancements in injectable hemostats for emergency medicine.