Hemostatic Treatment Research Articles

Laparoscopic appendectomy in a child with hemophilia A with inhibitors receiving prophylactic treatment with emicizumab

Surgeries in patients treated prophylactically with emicizumab (including surgical procedures with a high risk of postoperative bleeding) are not associated with higher risks or technical difficulties compared with operations in patients receiving standard replacement therapy. On the contrary, the presence of emicizumab in the blood and its maintenance of permanent basic hemostasis allow for the reduction of doses and infusion time of bypassing agents. Patients undergoing surgical procedures with a high risk of postoperative bleeding require an additional hemostatic treatment during the first two or three days after the surgery. Then the duration of hemostatic treatment should be determined individually. We recommend the use of recombinant activated factor VII for the prevention/control of postoperative bleeding in patients with hemophilia A with inhibitors who are currently receiving emicizumab or have received it in the past 6 months. If treatment with anti-inhibitor coagulant complex is required, the daily dose should not exceed 100 units/kg. Here we report the first case of laparoscopic appendectomy in an 8-year-old child with hemophilia A with inhibitors receiving prophylactic treatment with emicizumab. The patient's parents gave their consent to the use of their child's data, including photographs, for research purposes and in publications.

Modified expi293 cell culture system using piggyBac transposon enables efficient production of human FVIII.

Human blood coagulation factor VIII (hFVIII) is used in hemostatic and prophylactic treatment of patients with hemophilia A. Biotechnological innovations have enabled purification of the culture medium of rodent or human cells harboring the hFVIII expression cassette. However, cell lines express hFVIII protein derived from an exogenous expression vector at a lower level than most other proteins. Here, we describe hFVIII production using piggyBac transposon and the human-derived expi293F cell line. Use of a drug selection protocol, rather than transient expression protocol, allowed cells harboring hFVIII expression cassettes to efficiently produce hFVIII. In heterogeneous drug-selected cells, the production level was maintained even after multiple passages. The specific activity of the produced hFVIII was comparable to that of the commercial product and hFVIII derived from baby hamster kidney cells. We also applied codon optimization to the hFVIII open reading frame sequences in the transgene, which increased production of full-length hFVIII, but decreased production of B-domain-deleted human FVIII (BDD-hFVIII). Low transcriptional abundance of the hF8 transgene was observed in cells harboring codon-optimized BDD-hFVIII expression cassettes, which might partially contribute to decreased hFVIII production. The mechanism underlying these distinct outcomes may offer clues to highly efficient hFVIII protein production.

Activation of Nrf2 to Optimise Immune Responses to Intracerebral Haemorrhage.

Haemorrhage into the brain parenchyma can be devastating. This manifests as spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) after head trauma, and in the context of vascular dementia. Randomised controlled trials have not reliably shown that haemostatic treatments aimed at limiting ICH haematoma expansion and surgical approaches to reducing haematoma volume are effective. Consequently, treatments to modulate the pathophysiological responses to ICH, which may cause secondary brain injury, are appealing. Following ICH, microglia and monocyte derived cells are recruited to the peri-haematomal environment where they phagocytose haematoma breakdown products and secrete inflammatory cytokines, which may trigger both protective and harmful responses. The transcription factor Nrf2, is activated by oxidative stress, is highly expressed by central nervous system microglia and macroglia. When active, Nrf2 induces a transcriptional programme characterised by increased expression of antioxidant, haem and heavy metal detoxification and proteostasis genes, as well as suppression of proinflammatory factors. Therefore, Nrf2 activation may facilitate adaptive-protective immune cell responses to ICH by boosting resistance to oxidative stress and heavy metal toxicity, whilst limiting harmful inflammatory signalling, which can contribute to further blood brain barrier dysfunction and cerebral oedema. In this review, we consider the responses of immune cells to ICH and how these might be modulated by Nrf2 activation. Finally, we propose potential therapeutic strategies to harness Nrf2 to improve the outcomes of patients with ICH.

EFFECTS OF FIBRIN SEALANT COMPARED WITH SUTURING OR NO HEMOSTATIC INTERVENTION ON OVARIAN RESERVE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING OVARIAN CYSTECTOMY: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Determine the effect of Tisseel, a fibrin based hemostatic agent, versus no hemostatic interventions or suturing of the ovary on ovarian function after ovarian cystectomy measured by antral follicle count (AFC) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH).

Coagulopathy management of multiple injured patients - a comprehensive literature review of the European guideline 2019.

The European guideline on the management of trauma-induced major bleeding and coagulopathy summarises the most relevant recommendations for trauma coagulopathy management. The management of trauma-induced major bleeding should interdisciplinary follow algorithms which distinguish between life-threatening and non-life-threatening bleeding. Point-of-care viscoelastic methods (VEM) assist target-controlled haemostatic treatment. Neither conventional coagulation assays nor VEM should delay treatment in life-threatening trauma-induced bleeding. Adjustments may be rational due to local circumstances, including the availability of blood products, pharmaceuticals, and employees.

Peri-operative hemostatic management of tooth extraction in patients with hemophilia A, with and without inhibitors, receiving emicizumab prophylaxis.

Emicizumab treatment may allow patients with hemophilia A without (PwHA) and with inhibitors (PwHA-I) to undergo some minor surgeries, such as tooth extraction, without peri-operative factor infusions. However, criteria for determining the necessity of factor infusions before minor surgeries are unknown. We report the peri-operative hemostatic management and outcomes of emicizumab-treated PwHA and PwHA-I cases who underwent tooth extractions using our institutional protocol. We retrospectively evaluated PwHA and PwHA-I who underwent tooth extraction with emicizumab prophylaxis at our institution. Local bleeding risk was assessed based on the method, number, and site of tooth extraction. Hemostasis was monitored peri-operatively by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Hemostatic agents and a mouth splint were used. Twenty-nine extractions (17 interventions) were performed in eight PwHA and two PwHA-I. Based on ROTEM, pre-operative factor infusions were used in ten PwHA and four PwHA-I interventions. Among nine low local bleeding risk interventions, three (33.3%) each received no infusions, one dose of factor infusion pre-operatively, and pre- and post-operative factor infusions. All eight high local bleeding risk interventions involved planned factor infusions. Absorbable hemostats were used in all extractions. A mouth splint was used in 21/25 (84.0%) PwHA and in 4/4 (100%) PwHA-I extractions. No post-extraction bleeding or thrombotic events occurred. Use of a systemic hemostatic treatment plan according to the local bleeding risk, peri-operative coagulation status assessment using ROTEM, filling the extraction socket with hemostats, and use of a mouth splint can achieve effective and safe hemostatic management in emicizumab-treated PwHA and PwHA-I.

Activated prothrombin complex concentrate to treat bleeding events in acquired hemophilia A: BAHAS study

Activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) is a bypassing agent indicated to treat bleeds in patients with acquired hemophilia A (AHA). Nevertheless, its efficacy and safety in the real-world setting have not often been addressed. We report the experience of Spanish reference centers for coagulation disorders and from acquired hemophilia Spanish Registry (AHASR) from August 2012 to February 2021. Follow-up period of 30 days after aPCC withdrawal. Thirty patients with a median age of 70 years old, suffering from 51 bleeds treated with aPCC were finally evaluated. As first-line treatment, aPCC stopped bleeding in 13 of 14 (92.9%) cases. aPCC as the second line after recombinant factor VIIa failure, stopped bleeding in all cases. In 17 patients, aPCC was used far from initial bleed control as prophylaxis of rebleeding with 94% effectiveness. No thromboembolic episodes were communicated. One patient developed hypofibrinogenemia, which did not prevent aPCC from halting bleeding. No other serious adverse events possibly or probably associated with aPCC were reported. This data support aPCC as hemostatic treatment in AHA with high effectiveness and excellent safety profile in acute bleeds and as extended use to prevent rebleedings, even in aging people with high cardiovascular risk.

Thrombelastography (TEG® 6s) early amplitudes predict maximum amplitude in severely injured trauma patients

Severely injured trauma patients are often coagulopathic and early hemostatic resuscitation is essential. Previous studies have revealed linear relationships between thrombelastography (TEG®) five- and ten-min amplitudes (A5 and A10), and maximum amplitude (MA), using TEG® 5000 technology. We aimed to investigate the performance of A5 and A10 in predicting low MA in severely injured trauma patients and identify optimal cut-off values for hemostatic intervention based on early amplitudes, using the cartridge-based TEG® 6s technology. Adult trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock were included in the iTACTIC randomized controlled trial at six European Level I trauma centers between 2016 and 2018. After admission, patients were randomized to hemostatic therapy guided by conventional coagulation tests (CCT) or viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHA). Patients with available admission-TEG® 6s data were included in the analysis, regardless of treatment allocation. Low MA was defined as <55 mm for Kaolin TEG® and RapidTEG®, and <17 mm for TEG® functional fibrinogen (FF). One hundred eighty-seven patients were included. Median time to MA was 20 (Kaolin TEG®), 21 (RapidTEG®) and 12 (TEG® FF) min. For Kaolin TEG®, the optimal Youden index (YI) was at A5 < 36 mm (100/93% sensitivity/specificity) and A10 < 47 mm (100/96% sensitivity/specificity). RapidTEG® optimal YI was at A5 < 34 mm (98/92% sensitivity/specificity) and A10 < 45 mm (96/95% sensitivity/specificity). TEG® FF optimal YI was at A5 < 12 mm (97/93% sensitivity/specificity) and A10 < 15 mm (97/99% sensitivity/specificity). In summary, we found that TEG® 6s early amplitudes were sensitive and specific predictors of MA in severely injured trauma patients. Intervening on early amplitudes can save valuable time in hemostatic resuscitation.

Patient factors associated with receiving reversal therapy in oral anticoagulant-related intracerebral hemorrhage.

We aimed to describe baseline characteristics of patients with oral anticoagulant-related intracerebral hemorrhage (OAC-ICH) in Sweden and to identify predictive variables associated with receiving hemostatic treatment in the event of OAC-ICH. We performed an observational study based on data from Riksstroke and the Swedish Causes of Death Register to define baseline characteristics of patients with OAC-ICH who received reversal treatment compared with patients who did not receive reversal treatment during 2017-2019. Predictive analysis was performed using multivariable logistic regression to identify odds ratios for factors associated with receiving OAC reversal treatment. We included 1902 patients ((n=1146; OAC reversal treatment) (n=756; no OAC reversal treatment)). The proportion of non-Vitamin K oral anticoagulant associated ICH (NOAC-ICH) patients who received reversal treatment was 48.4% and the proportion of Vitamin K antagonist-associated ICH (VKA-ICH) patients was 72.9%. Factors associated with a lower odds of receiving reversal treatment were increased age (OR=0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-0.99), previous stroke (OR=0.78; 95% CI: 0.62-0.98), comatose LOC (OR=0.36;95%CI: 0.27-0.48; ref.=alert), pre-stroke dependency (OR=0.72; 95% CI: 0.58-0.91), and NOAC treatment (OR=0.34; 95% CI: 0.28-0.42). Care at a university hospital was not associated with higher odds of receiving reversal treatment compared to treatment at a county hospital. Treatment with a reversal agent following OAC-ICH was related to several patient factors including type of OAC drug. We identified that only 48% of patients with NOAC-ICH received hemostatic treatment despite an increase in these cases. Further studies are required to guide the use of reversal therapies more precisely, particularly in NOAC-ICH.

Safe removal of a synthetic paper for cake decoration that had caused a hemorrhagic rectal ulcer using a detachable snare after hemostatic treatment.

Safe removal of a synthetic paper for cake decoration that had caused a hemorrhagic rectal ulcer using a detachable snare after hemostatic treatment.

Alpha-Fetoprotein-Producing Gastric Cancer With Delayed Diagnosis Caused by COVID-19: A Case Report

A 70-year-old man was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The patient had suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding during the course of the COVID-19 infection. Urgent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed. However, because of mobility restrictions imposed as a COVID-19 countermeasure, EGD was done in a small hospital room. Hemostatic treatment was successful, but no sufficient close examination could be done. The patient, who was diagnosed as having alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer, died about three months later.

Prediction of the need for emergency endoscopic treatment for upper gastrointestinal bleeding and new score model: a retrospective study

BackgroundGastrointestinal bleeding is one of the major gastrointestinal diseases. In this study, our objective was to compare Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS), AIMS65 score, MAP score, Modified GBS, and Iino score as outcome measures for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, we extracted factors associated with hemostatic procedures including endoscopy, and proposed a new robust score model.MethodsFrom January 2015 to December 2019, 675 patients with symptoms such as hematemesis who visited the National Hospital Organization Disaster Medical Center and underwent urgent upper endoscopy with diagnosis of suspected non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the GBS, AIMS65 score, MAP score, Modified GBS, and Iino score, and assessed the outcomes of patients requiring hemostatic treatments at the subsequent emergency endoscopy. We performed logistic regression analysis of factors related to endoscopic hemostasis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, created a new score model, and evaluated the prediction of hemostatic treatment and mortality in the new score and the existing scores.ResultsThe factors associated with endoscopic treatment were hematemesis, heart rate, HB (hemoglobin), blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Based on these predictors and the partial regression coefficients, a new score named H3B2 (using the initial letters of hematemesis, heart rate, HB, blood pressure, and BUN) was generated. H3B2 score was slightly more discriminatory compared to GBS and Modified GBS (area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC): 0.73 versus 0.721 and 0.7128, respectively) in predicting hemostatic treatment in emergency endoscopy. The H3B2 score also showed satisfactory prediction accuracy for subsequent deaths (AUROC: 0.6857. P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe proposed a new score, the H3B2 score, consisting of simple and objective indices in cases of suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The H3B2 score is useful in identifying high-risk patients with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding who require urgent hemostatic treatment including emergency endoscopy.

Post-procedural bleeding rate and haemostatic treatment use for dental procedures before and after the implementation of a standardized protocol for people with inherited bleeding disorders.

Persons with inherited bleeding disorders are at a substantial risk of bleeding following dental procedures. To compare the outcomes and use of haemostatic treatment pre- and post-implementation of a standardized protocol for dental procedures at a Hemophilia Treatment Centre. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of outpatient and inpatient dental procedures and maxillofacial surgeries sustained by people with bleeding disorders treated at a comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Centre (2013-2020), comparing patients' outcomes before and after the introduction of the protocol in 2018. The protocol, built using a multidisciplinary approach, suggested haemostatic treatment based on the invasiveness of the dental procedure and the proposed anaesthesia. Our primary outcome was the rate of procedural bleeding leading to medical or dental reintervention within 10 days. Secondary outcomes included the use of systemic haemostatic treatment and treatment-related adverse effects. Overall, 137 dental procedures in 95 patients (median age: 29 years; 78% males; 74% haemophilia, 14% von Willebrand disease, 12% other disorders) were included. Seventeen procedural bleedings were reported (12.4%). Procedural bleeding occurred in 14.8% and 8.9% of patients in the control and intervention groups (p=.304). No major bleeding occurred. Tranexamic acid was used more consistently after protocol implementation (72.8%vs. 89.3%, p=.019), while factor concentrates use decreased (65.4%vs. 44.6%, p=.016), and desmopressin use remained constant (46.4%vs. 32.1%, p=.100). No treatment-related adverse effects were reported. The use of a standardized protocol increased the use of tranexamic acid, with a nonstatistically significant reduction in procedural bleeding rate.

P1660: PERIPROCEDURAL MANAGEMENT IN COMBINED DEFICIENCY OF FACTOR V AND FACTOR VIII: EXPERIENCE FROM A SINGLE CENTER IN SPAIN

Background: Inherited combined factor V (FV) and factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency is a rare disorder with typically mild bleeding symptoms. There is limited data about replacement therapy which is usually only required before surgical procedures or traumatic hemorrhages. Aims: Revision of hemostatic treatment and bleeding control in FV+FVIII deficiency patients after surgical procedures. Evaluation of effectiveness and possible adverse events. Methods: We described 3 patients with combined mild-moderate FV+FVIII deficiency. Characteristics of the patients are described in Table 1. There were 8 relevant surgical procedures between 2014 and 2021 performed with previous administration of frozen fresh plasma and/or FVIII replacement. Antifibrinolytic agents were used depending on the patient comorbidities and surgical site. Characteristics of procedures are described in Table 2. Table 1 - Age at diagnosis (years) Gender FV FVIII Gene(s) involved PATIENT 1 2 Female 8-12% 12-17% Homozigous for LMAN1 mutation PATIENT 2 51 Male 13-15% 29-31% Homozigous for LMAN1 mutation PATIENT 3 Childhood onset Male 14-20% 25-29% Unknown Results: No relevant bleeding events were documented and all procedures were successfully completed. FFP dosage has been adapted not only to the FV level but also to patient comorbidities to avoid congestive cardiac symptoms. Desmopressin has only been used in one patient for a minor procedure. Image:Summary/Conclusion: FFP and FVIII factor replacement is a safe measure for periprocedural preparation, and the correspondent dose can be adapted to patient characteristics including bleeding phenotype, comorbidities and surgical site without increasing hemorrhagic risks. Desmopressin maybe underused.

Blush in Lung Contusions Is Not Rare and Has a High Risk of Mortality in Patients With Blunt Chest Trauma.

BackgroundPatients with blunt chest trauma have a high mortality rate. The assessment of blush in hepatic and splenic trauma is important for determining the need for emergency hemostatic interventions. However, the frequency and importance of blush in lung contusions are unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the frequency of blush in patients with lung contusions and elucidate the relationship between blush and the clinical outcomes of patients with blunt chest trauma.Materials and MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, we enrolled patients with an injury severity score of 16 or higher and a chest abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score of 3 or higher who were admitted to the emergency department of Hokkaido University Hospital from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2016. Blush was defined as active extravasation of an intravascular contrast agent recognized on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. The date of trauma, trauma severity, treatments, and outcomes were obtained from the patients’ electronic medical records.ResultsDuring the study period, 83 patients had severe lung contusions and 13 had blush. In-hospital mortality of patients with blush was significantly higher than that of patients without blush (53 vs. 10%, P < 0.001). Patients with blush required thoracic drainage more frequently (100 vs. 71%, P < 0.001) and support through mechanical ventilation more often (100 vs. 64%, P < 0.001) and for a longer duration (median duration, 0 vs. 25 days, P = 0.001) than patients without blush.ConclusionsOur study revealed that blush in lung contusions was not rare and was associated with a high risk of mortality in patients with severe blunt chest trauma. Clinicians should not hesitate to intervene if blush is detected in a lung contusion of a patient with blunt chest trauma.

Percutaneous delivery of self-propelling thrombin-containing powder increases survival from noncompressible truncal hemorrhage in a swine model of coagulopathy and hypothermia

Noncompressible truncal hemorrhage (NCTH) remains a leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield. Definitively managing severe NCTH requires surgery within the first hour after injury, which is difficult when evacuating casualties from remote and austere environments. During delays to surgery, hemostatic interventions that are performed prehospital can prevent coagulopathy and hemorrhagic shock and increase the likelihood that casualties survive to receive definitive care. We previously reported that a self-propelling thrombin-containing powder (SPTP) can be delivered percutaneously into the abdomen as a minimally invasive intervention and can self-disperse through pooled blood to deliver the hemostatic agents thrombin and tranexamic acid locally to noncompressible intracavitary wounds. We hypothesized that, in swine with massive NCTH, dilutional coagulopathy, and hypothermia, delivering SPTP could extend survival times. Ten swine (n = 5 per group) underwent NCTH from a Grade V liver injury following a midline laparotomy. The laparotomy was closed with sutures afterwards, creating a hemoperitoneum, and animals were managed with crystalloid fluid resuscitation, or crystalloid resuscitation and SPTP. Self-propelling thrombin-containing powder was delivered into the closed abdomen using a CO 2 -powered spray device and a catheter placed into the hemoperitoneum, entering through the upper right quadrant using the Seldinger technique. Survival to 1 and 3 hours was recorded. In an additional animal, hemorrhage was created laparoscopically, and SPTP was imaged in situ within the abdomen to visually track dispersion of the particles. Self-propelling thrombin-containing powder dispersed as far as 35 ± 5.0 cm within the abdomen. It increased survival to 1 and 3 hours (Kaplan-Meier p = 0.007 for both). The median survival time was 61 minutes with SPTP and 31 minutes without ( p = 0.016). Self-propelling thrombin-containing powder effectively disperses medications throughout a hemoperitoneum and increases survival in a model of NCTH. It is a promising strategy for nonsurgical management of NCTH, warranting further testing of its safety and efficacy.

Postpartum Hemorrhage in Women with von Willebrand Disease: Consider Other Etiologies

ObjectiveHigher rates of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) have been reported for women with von Willebrand disease (VWD). Comprehensive multidisciplinary care reduces these rates; thus PPH may not be secondary to VWD. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review for the period of 2009–2018, including all VWD pregnancies at 2 tertiary care academic hospitals to determine rates, etiology, and timing of PPH. ResultsA total of 63 women with 80 pregnancies were included. Three women had twin pregnancies. Sixty-six pregnancies (82.5%) involved type 1 VWD; 4 (5.0%), type 2 (unclear subtype); 3 (3.8%) type 2A; 3 (3.8%) type 2B; and 2 (2.5%), type 2M. Median age of patients was 32.9 years (range 19–43 y). Most patients were blood type O (65%), and 33 of 80 pregnancies (41.3%) were nulliparous. The mean bleeding assessment score was 8 (range 0–16). Thirty-seven pregnancies (46.3%) received prophylactic hemostatic treatment prior to delivery. Seventy-four percent of pregnancies were delivered vaginally, and 88% received epidural anaesthesia. The majority of pregnancies (78.8%) had von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels assessed during the third trimester, with most (71.3%) achieving VWF levels above 1.00 IU/mL. Four pregnancies (5.2%) were complicated by primary PPH; uterine atony in 2 and placenta previa in 1. Delayed postpartum bleeding occurred in 5 pregnancies (6.3%). ConclusionMultidisciplinary care of pregnancies with VWD improves outcomes. Rates of primary and delayed PPH in this study are lower than previously described and are similar to those of women without VWD. In women with VWD, uterine etiologies for primary PPH need to be considered, in a manner similar to the assessment of women without VWD, to ensure hemostasis is achieved.

A Bio-Inorganic Hybrid Hemostatic Gauze for Effective Control of Fatal Emergency Hemorrhage in "Platinum Ten Minutes".

Death from massive hemorrhage represents a global problem. It is a challenging task to design hemostatic materials with significant efficacy, good biocompatibility, reliable safety, and high stability. In this study, we demonstrate an effective bio-inorganic hybrid hemostat fabricated by stepwise procedures of on-site growth of zeolite gauze and immobilization of trypsin on the zeolite gauze. The as-synthesized hybrid hemostat catalyzes the transition of prothrombin-to-thrombin and exhibits excellent procoagulant performance in the both normal plasma and FX-deficient plasma. The hemostatic treatment of junctional femoral artery rupture in the porcine model confirms that this hybrid hemostat manifests itself with superior hemostatic performance over commercial hemostatic dressings, in terms of a reduced time to hemostasis and blood loss. The stability of the hybrid hemostat is validated through high temperature and violent shaking evaluation. This bio-inorganic hybrid hemostat displays high procoagulant activity, low cytotoxicity, and extended shelf life which may achieve the "Platinum Ten Minutes" rescue in battlefield and traffic accident medicine.

Quaternized chitosan/cellulose composites as enhanced hemostatic and antibacterial sponges for wound healing

It is essential to enhance our antibacterial arsenal in the first-aid hemostatic treatment due to the healing delay and even death from the bacteria-contaminated wounds. Herein, serial quaternized chitosan with varying degrees of substitution (QCSX) was prepared by glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride modification. Then the obtained QCSX was conjugated with dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) through Schiff base reaction to obtain the corresponding composite sponges (2QCSX-DAC). The surface morphology, chemical structures, and physical characters of mechanical measurement, water uptake behavior, porosity, and degradation tests were determined. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo biological assays were performed. The obtained 2QCSX-DAC sponges exhibit abundant porous structures, moderate mechanical properties, excellent water uptake performance, and effective bactericidal rates against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Moreover, these porous composite sponges have superior blood coagulation abilities with the blood coagulation time reduced by 76.6% and 59.8% compared with blank control and Celox™ as well as low hemolysis rates (<5%). Meanwhile, 2QCS3-DAC had benign cytotoxicity of L929 cells in vitro and could accelerate the infected wound healing of rats at the early stage in vivo. Overall, this composite sponge appears to be a viable wound dressing for daily wound care in civilian hospitals and emergency hemostasis on battlefields.

Spleen size greater than 9.76 cm may impact the treatment strategy for blunt splenic injury in adults - A retrospective analysis of experience at a tertiary trauma center in Taiwan

The present study investigated the impact of splenomegaly on the treatment outcomes of blunt splenic injury patients. All blunt splenic injury patients were enrolled between 2010 and 2018. The exclusion criteria were age less than 18 years, missing data, and splenectomy performed at another hospital. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of splenomegaly, defined as a spleen length over 9.76cm on axial computed tomography. The primary outcome was the need for hemostatic interventions. A total of 535 patients were included. Patients with splenomegaly had more high-grade splenic injuries (p=0.007). Hemostatic treatments (p<0.001) and transarterial embolization (p=0.003) were more frequently required for patients with splenomegaly. Multivariate analysis showed that male sex (p=0.023), more packed red blood cell transfusions (p=0.001), splenomegaly (p=0.019) and grade 3-5 splenic injury (p<0.001) were predictors of hemostatic treatment. The failure rate of transarterial embolization was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.180). The sensitivity and specificity for splenomegaly in predicting hemostatic procedures were 48.8% and 66.5%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 62.8% and 52.9%, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 3.7%. Splenomegaly is an independent predictor for the requirement of hemostatic treatments in blunt splenic injury patients, especially transarterial embolization. Transarterial embolization is as effective for blunt splenic injury patients with splenomegaly as it is for those with a normal spleen.