QuikClot

QuikClot is a brand of hemostatic agents that is manufactured by Z-Medica Corporation. The original QuikClot was a granular product that was be poured directly on wounds to stop bleeding. It works by adsorbing water from the blood, concentrating the clotting factors, activating platelets, and promoting steps in the coagulation cascade. It is composed of zeolite, a molecular sieve that traps molecules in a molecular "cage" and holding the trapped species by forming hydrogen bonds. The bond formation generates heat, which has been a drawback to the original QuikClot product. Newer versions of the product are partially prehydrated and generate less heat, at a slight cost in clotting speed.

Using zeolite as a hemostatic agent was discovered by Frank Hursey (who cofounded Z-Medica) in 1984. [U.S. patent number 4,822,349, 1989] Following the September 11th attacks, the U.S. Navy conducted a test comparing new technologies to stop bleeding. QuikClot performed the best in these tests, which have been replicated many times by many different groups. ["Application of a Zeolite Hemostatic Agent Achieves 100% Survival in a Lethal Model of Complex Groin Injury in Swine," - J Trauma. 2004;56:974-983, Hasan B. Alam, MD] ["Comparative Analysis of Hemostatic Agents in a Swine Model of Lethal Groin Injury" - J Trauma. 2003;54:1007-1082, Hasan B. Alam, MD] Following this testing, the United States Marine Corps deployed the product in Afghanistan and Iraq. QuikClot is now carried by the Navy, Coast Guard, Army, and Air Force in addition to the Marines. It is now standard issue for several police departments. There is also a consumer version for use by athletes and people at risk for bleeding. Another QuikClot product provides both the hemostatic effect and also antimicrobial properties of ionic silver.

The product is now used routinely to save lives, some cases have been published. ["Intracorporeal Use of the Hemostatic Agent QuickClot in a Coagulopathic Patient with Combined Thoracoabdominal Penetrating Trauma" - J Trauma. 2004;56:205–208, CDR Peter Rhee, MC]

QuikClot can be seen in the movie Shooter used by the main character to curtail bleeding caused by two gunshot wounds.

Limitations

In order to be effective, QuikClot must be applied to the source of the bleeding, the torn blood vessel itself. This is often accessible in an open laceration, but may be deeply buried and inaccessible in case of a puncture or gunshot wound. Also, foreign material or accumulated blood may have to be washed out to provide access to the bleeding vessel.

With the original formulation, if large amounts of blood and QuikClot are combined (particularly if a QuickClot is rapidly applied to less than half its volume in blood [Citation |url=http://zmed.cermusa.francis.edu/training/Training_Procedures_to_send.pdf |title=Training QuikClot |author=Z-Medica Corporation |date=2005-10-28 |accessdate=2008-06-06] ), the generated heat can be enough to cause burns. This may still be preferable to continued blood loss.Citation |url=http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18925435.800 |title=Saved by 'sand' poured into the wounds |first=Jessica |last=Marshall |journal=New Scientist |date=2006-03-16 |accessdate=2008-06-06]

The granular form is awkward to apply in windy environments, requires that the wound be facing upward, and is difficult to combine with direct pressure. A sponge form (QuikClot ACS) has been developed to address this concern.Citation |url=http://www.z-medica.com/1_pdf/zeolite_products.pdf |title=How QuikClot® brand products work to stop bleeding |author=Z-Medica Corporation |year=2008 |accessdate=2008-06-06]

References

External links

* [http://www.z-medica.com/quikclot/index.asp Z-Medica QuikClot product page]