Systemic There are several classes of antihemorrhagic drugs used in medicine. These include
antifibrinolytics, blood
coagulation factors,
fibrinogen, and
vitamin K.
Local Topical hemostatic agents have been gaining popularity for use in
emergency bleeding control, especially in
military medicine. They are available in three forms—as a granular powder poured on wounds, as a styptic pencil or embedded in a
dressing.
Organic Microfibrillar collagen Microfibrillar
collagen hemostat (MCH) is a topical agent composed of resorbable microfibrillar collagen. It attracts platelets and allows for the formation of a blood clot when it comes into contact with blood. Unlike the hemostatic clamp, no mechanical action is involved. The surgeon presses the MCH against a bleeding site, and the collagen attracts and helps with the clotting process to eventually stop bleeding. The practical application for MCH is different from that of the hemostatic clamp.
Chitosan Chitosan hemostats are topical agents composed of chitosan and its salts. Chitosan bonds with platelets and red blood cells to form a gel-like clot which seals a bleeding vessel. Unlike other hemostatic agents like
kaolin, its action does not require the normal hemostatic pathway and therefore continues to function even when anticoagulants like
heparin are present in the patient's body, or when the patient's hemostatic ability is impaired due to the patient being
hypothermic or
hypovolemic. Chitosan is used in some emergency hemostats which are designed to stop traumatic life-threatening bleeding. Their use is well established in many military and trauma units.
Inorganic Contact activation Kaolin activates the coagulation cascade, and has been used as the active component of hemostatic dressings (for example, in
QuikClot).
Styptics block and razor A
styptic (also spelled
stiptic) is a specific type of antihemorrhagic agent that works by contracting
tissue to seal injured
blood vessels. Styptic pencils contain
astringents. A common delivery system for this is a styptic or hemostatic pencil (not to be confused with a
caustic pencil). This is a short stick of
medication.
Anhydrous aluminium sulfate is the main ingredient and acts as a vasoconstrictor in order to disable blood flow. The stick is applied directly to the bleeding site. The high
ionic strength promotes
flocculation of the blood, and the astringent chemical causes local vasoconstriction. Before
safety razors were invented, a styptic pencil was a standard part of a shaving kit and was used to seal shaving cuts. Some people continue to use styptic pencils for minor skin wounds from safety or electric razors. ==See also==