Use of the hemostatic agent QuikClot for the treatment of massive splenic injury in a rat model.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the present study, QuikClot (QC) was used to treat intra-abdominal bleeding induced by massive splenic injury (MSI) in rats. STUDY DESIGN: 40 animals were divided into five groups: (1) sham operated; (2) MSI untreated; (3) MSI treated with 41.5 ml/kg lactated Ringer's solution (RL); (4) MSI treated with QC, and (5) MSI treated with QC and RL. RESULTS: Untreated MSI was followed by mortality of 60%, total blood loss (TBL) of 33.69% and mean survival time (MST) of 153.9 min. MSI treatment with RL resulted in mortality of 100%, TBL of 61.8% (p < 0.001), and MST of 92.2 min (p < 0.05). MSI treated with QC was followed by TBL of 14.1% (p < 0.005) and MST of 237.5 min (p < 0.05) with no mortality. MSI treated by QC and RL led TBL of 27.4% (p < 0.001 vs. group 3), and MST of 233.3 min (p < 0.05) and no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: QC significantly reduced blood loss from the injured spleen with improved survival. Combination of RL and QC prevented the increase in blood loss and improved survival compared to RL alone.