Efficacy of BloodSTOP iX, surgicel, and gelfoam in rat models of active bleeding from partial nephrectomy and aortic needle injury.

Objective: To compare the bleeding time using 3 different hemostatic agents in a rat model of partial nephrectomy and aortic needle injury.

Methods: Bilateral partial nephrectomy was performed in 20 rats with a total bleeding surface of 1.5 cm(2) without vascular clamping. Surgicel (n = 10) or BloodSTOP iX (n = 10) matrix was applied on each kidney cut surface. Finger pressure was applied to the parenchyma with transparent plastic bubble wrap to allow for visualization of the site and monitor the bleeding time. Pressure was applied until the bleeding stopped and then released to assess the presence of active bleeding for 5 minutes. An additional 24 rats underwent aortic trauma with a 25-gauge needle puncture, and the efficacy of the topical hemostatic agents were compared among Gelfoam (n = 8), Surgicel (n = 8), and BloodSTOP iX (n = 8).

Results: After partial nephrectomy, the mean bleeding time with BloodSTOP iX and Surgicel treatment was 83.70 ± 13.73 seconds and 168.8 ± 19.41 seconds, respectively, a statistically significant difference (P = .002). After aortic injury, the mean bleeding time was 157.5 ± 31.44 seconds, 187.5 ± 23.20 seconds, and 66.00 ± 13.74 seconds in the Gelfoam, Surgicel, and BloodSTOP groups, respectively, which was statistically significant (P = .004).

Conclusion: The BloodSTOP iX hemostatic surgical matrix was more effective in reducing the bleeding time than Surgicel in a rat model of partial nephrectomy. Similarly, in an aortic needle injury model, BloodSTOP iX achieved hemostasis faster than Gelfoam or Surgicel.