The effects of QuikClot Combat Gauze on hemorrhage control when used in a porcine model of lethal femoral injury.

The aims of the study were to 1) determine the effectiveness of QuikClot Combat Gauze (QCG); 2) determine the arterial blood pressure at which rebleeding occurs; 3) determine how much intravenous fluid could be administered before hemorrhage reoccurred, and 4) determine the number extremity movement on rebleeding when QCG was used.This was a prospective, randomized, experimental study.Adult Yorkshire pigs were randomly assigned to two groups QCG (n = 10) or control (n = 10).After the swine were anesthetized, the investigators transected the femoral artery and vein. After 1 minute of uncontrolled bleeding, QCG was placed in the wound followed by standard wound packing. The control group underwent the same procedures without QCG. After 5 minutes of firm, manual pressure, a pressure dressing was applied. Following 30 minutes, the dressings were removed and blood loss was calculated. If hemostasis occurred, phenylephrine was administered until there was rebleeding. If no bleeding, up to 5 L of IV crystalloid was administered until there was hemorrhage. If no bleeding, the extremity on the side of the hemorrhage was moved through flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction 10 times or until rebleeding occurred.QCG compared to a control was more effective in controlling hemorrhage, withstanding increases in systolic blood pressure, more latitude in resuscitation fluid, and movement (p < 0.05).