• Thomas E Grissom and Raymond Fang.
• aDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center bU.S. Air Force Center for the Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills, R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
• Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2015 Apr 1;28(2):210-6.

Purpose Of ReviewDeath from exsanguinating hemorrhage remains a priority in the management of combat casualties and civilian trauma patients with truncal and junctional injuries. Appropriate use of hemostatic agents and dressings in the prehospital setting may allow for earlier control and an improved survival rate.Recent FindingsThird-generation chitosan-based hemostatic agents and dressings appear to be equally efficacious to the dressing currently deployed by the US military forces in the management of hemorrhage not amenable to tourniquet placement. Unfortunately, a lack of clinical trials places a heavy reliance on anecdotal reports and laboratory studies in agent selection and application.SummaryEfficacy of currently available hemostatic agents and dressings appears to have plateaued in recent years although new agents and delivery mechanisms under development may improve control in cases of severe hemorrhage.

22 keywords...

hide…