Thrombin-Loaded TA-CaCO3 Microspheres as a Budget, Adaptable, and Highly Efficient Hemostatic

Abstract

Fast hemostasis, biosecurity, and adaptation of different bleeding sites are the major challenges for hemostatic materials. In this work, an easy-to-make, rapid hemostatic, tannic acid doped calcium carbonate microsphere with a low concentration of thrombin (Thr@TA-CaCO3) was developed. In an in vitro blood clotting assay, the hemostatic effect of Thr@TA-CaCO3 varied with the change of thrombin amount. Furthermore, the average hemostatic time can be reduced from 205 to 20 s as the thrombin levels are elevated. When applied in different hemorrhage models, the Thr@TA-CaCO3-treated group had a lower blood loss than the tannic acid modified CaCO3 (TA-CaCO3) groups. Especially in the rabbit artery injury model, the total bleeding amount in the Thr@TA-CaCO3-treated group was only 11.97% of that in the TA-CaCO3 groups, proving that Thr@TA-CaCO3 had an excellent hemostatic effect even in the case of rapidly flowing blood. Based on the above, Thr@TA-CaCO3 is a promising hemostatic agent and can be applied in more extensive clinical applications.