Hemostatic efficacy of chitosan-based bandage for closure of percutaneous arterial access sites: An experimental study in heparinized sheep model

BACKGROUND Most of the presently used percutaneous arterial closure devices (PACD) for hemostasis after interventional vascular procedures are effective, but carry risk of complications by deposition of a foreign body. A new promising externally applied PACD - chitosan-based HemCon Bandage (HCB) was explored in sheep. The HCB hemostatic efficacy and complications occurring with its use were compared to those with the standard manual compression (SMC). MATERIAL AND METHODS Both superficial femoral arteries (SFA) of 9 heparinized sheep were catheterized with an 8F sheath for 5 minutes. After the sheath withdrawal, hemostasis with the HCB was compared with hemostasis achieved with SMC in the contralateral SFA. Iliac angiograms performed by carotid artery approach determined the hemostasis time. RESULTS The HCB use shortened time to hemostasis with a mean time of 6.9 ± 3.9 minutes versus 10.8 ± 2.8 minutes for the SMC (P-value 0.019). Seven SFAs in the HCB group and only 1 SFA in the SMC group exhibited hemostasis in 5 minutes. All nine SFAs using the HCB showed femoral artery patency and demonstrated less hematoma (2/9) than in the SMC group (8/9). No complications developed in the HCB group, one SFA occlusion was seen in the SMC group. CONCLUSIONS The externally applied HCB in heparinized sheep was safe and effective. It significantly shortened time to hemostasis at the SFA access sites following 8F sheath removal. Proper application of the HCB was necessary to shorten hemostasis and prevent hematoma formation. The HCB should be tested in a clinically controlled study to evaluate its efficacy in humans.