Severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding is halted by endoscopically delivered self-propelling thrombin powder: A porcine pilot study

CounterFlow Hemostatic Gauze Provides Military Medics Confidence and Demonstrates Effective Hemorrhage Control in a Live Tissue Simulation

INTRODUCTION

Trauma-induced hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield, with anatomical junctional wounds accounting for ∼19% of deaths. This highlights the need for effective hemorrhage control interventions. Consequently, CounterFlow-Gauze was developed to deliver thrombin, tranexamic acid (TXA), and calcium through a self-propelling acid-base reaction, eliminating the need for manual compression. This study evaluates the usability and efficacy of CounterFlow-Gauze to the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care standard of care, Combat Gauze.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten Canadian Armed Forces medics tested the usability CounterFlow-Gauze and Combat Gauze in a swine junctional hemorrhage model. A 4-mm vascular punch was used to induce femoral injury, followed by a 15-second free bleed. Medics packed the wound and applied 3-minute compression. Medics were blinded to the gauze treatment and completed surveys to evaluate the gauzes. Animals were observed for 3 hours or until death, and blood loss was measured. Blood samples were also collected to measure TXA levels and establish baseline and treated values for blood gas, hematological, and coagulation parameters.

RESULTS

Medics reported enhanced usability and greater efficacy of CounterFlow-Gauze (4.3 ± 0.9/5) compared to Combat Gauze (3.0 ± 1.2 /5; P < .05) in attenuating bleeding. CounterFlow-Gauze achieved high survivability (10/10 animals) and low blood loss (10.21 ± 1.83 g/kg) compared to Combat-Gauze (9/10 animals, 12.72 ± 3.03 g/kg; P > .05), while delivering systemic therapeutic levels of TXA by 30 minutes (10.92 ± 0.17 µg/mL). Changes in mean arterial pressure and heart rate were less pronounced with CounterFlow-Gauze compared to Combat Gauze (P > .05), while no differences were observed between baseline and treated values for any of the other measured parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

The self-propelling hemostatic agents of CounterFlow-Gauze may compensate for suboptimal packing by novice users or in high-stress situations. These findings support the adoption of CounterFlow-Gauze, providing all soldiers access to superior but restricted hemostatic agents in a safe and easy-to-use gauze on the battlefield.

Updates on the Prevention and Management of Post-Polypectomy Bleeding in the Colon

Post-polypectomy bleeding (PPB) remains a significant procedure-related complication, with multiple risk factors determining the risk including patient demographics, polyp characteristics, endoscopist expertise, and techniques of polypectomy. Immediate PPB is usually treated promptly, but management of delayed PPB can be challenging. Cold snare polypectomy is the optimal technique for small sessile polyps with hot snare polypectomy for pedunculated and large sessile polyps. Topical hemostatic powders and gels are being investigated for the prevention and management of PPB. Further studies are needed to compare these topical agents with conventional therapy.

Thrombin and Thrombin-Incorporated Biomaterials for Disease Treatments

Thrombin, a coagulation-inducing protease, has long been used in the hemostatic field. During the past decades, many other therapeutic uses of thrombin have been developed. For instance, burn treatment, pseudoaneurysm therapy, wound management, and tumor vascular infarction (or tumor vasculature blockade therapy) can all utilize the unique and powerful function of thrombin. Based on their therapeutic effects, many thrombin-associated products have been certificated by the Food and Drug Administration, including bovine thrombin, human thrombin, recombinant thrombin, fibrin glue, etc. Besides, several thrombin-based drugs are currently undergoing clinical trials. In this article, the therapeutic uses of thrombin (from the initial hemostasis to the latest cancer therapy), the commercially available drugs associated with thrombin, and the pros and cons of thrombin-based therapeutics (e.g., adverse immune responses related to bovine thrombin, thromboinflammation, and vasculogenic "rebounds") are summarized. Further, the current challenges and possible future research directions of thrombin-incorporated biomaterials and therapies are discussed. It is hoped that this review may provide a valuable reference for researchers in this field and help them to design safer and more effective thrombin-based drugs for fighting against various intractable diseases.

Ruggedized Self-Propelling Hemostatic Gauze Delivers Low Dose of Thrombin and Systemic Tranexamic Acid and Achieves High Survival in Swine With Junctional Hemorrhage

INTRODUCTION

Hemorrhage is responsible for 91% of preventable prehospital deaths in combat. Bleeding from anatomic junctions such as the groin, neck, and axillae make up 19% of these deaths, and reports estimate that effective control of junctional hemorrhage could have prevented 5% of fatalities in Afghanistan. Hemostatic dressings are effective but are time-consuming to apply and are limited when proper packing and manual pressure are not feasible, such as during care under fire. CounterFlow-Gauze is a hemostatic dressing that is effective without compression and delivers thrombin and tranexamic acid into wounds. Here, an advanced prototype of CounterFlow-Gauze, containing a range of low thrombin doses, was tested in a lethal swine model of junctional hemorrhage. Outcomes were compared with those of Combat Gauze, the current dressing recommended by Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CounterFlow-Gauze containing thrombin doses of 0, 20, 200, and 500 IU was prepared. Swine received femoral arteriotomies, and CounterFlow-Gauze was packed into wounds without additional manual compression. In a separate study using a similar model of junctional hemorrhage without additional compression, CounterFlow-Gauze containing 500 IU thrombin was tested and compared with Combat Gauze. In both studies, the primary outcomes were survival to 3 h and volume of blood loss.

RESULTS

CounterFlow-Gauze with 200 and 500 IU had the highest 3-h survival, achieving 70 and 75% survival, respectively. CounterFlow-Gauze resulted in mean peak plasma tranexamic acid concentrations of 9.6 ± 1.0 µg/mL (mean ± SEM) within 3 h. In a separate study with smaller injury, CounterFlow-Gauze with 500 IU achieved 100% survival to 3 h compared with 92% in Combat Gauze animals.

CONCLUSIONS

An advanced preclinical prototype of CounterFlow-Gauze formulated with a minimized thrombin dose is highly effective at managing junctional hemorrhage without compression. These results demonstrate that CounterFlow-Gauze could be developed into a feasible alternative to Combat Gauze for hemorrhage control on the battlefield.

Self-propelling thrombin powder enables hemostasis with no observable recurrent bleeding or thrombosis over 3 days in a porcine model of upper GI bleeding

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hemostatic powders used to manage upper GI bleeding continue to exhibit high recurrent bleeding rates. Previously, self-propelling thrombin powder (SPTP) sprayed endoscopically managed severe Forrest class 1A bleeding. Here, we evaluate SPTP in a 3-day recovery model of diffuse ulcerated bleeding.

METHODS

Five anesthetized pigs underwent an endoscopic mucosal snare resection to trigger diffuse ulcer bleeding and were treated with SPTP. The time to hemostasis and the amount of powder delivered were measured. Pigs were recovered and monitored.

RESULTS

Five pigs achieved hemostasis in 4.5 ± 1.2 minutes At 3 days after the procedure, the pigs were rescoped and showed no recurrent bleeding. Measured blood parameters were not significantly different from baseline. There were no signs of foreign bodies or thromboembolism during gross necropsy and histopathology of key organs.

CONCLUSIONS

SPTP is a promising novel material that stopped diffuse ulcer bleeding in 5 pigs without recurrent bleeding or adverse local or systemic events.

Efficacy and safety of CounterFlow in animal models of hemorrhage

LAY SUMMARY

The efficacy of current hemostatic technologies is limited by several factors. Outward blood flow washes hemostatic drugs away from the wound, and hemostatic drugs often require focus, training, and time to use correctly, are highly specific to one type of injury, or pose severe safety risks. CounterFlow is a novel product that could potentially save military and civilian lives by stopping heavy bleeding from a variety of organs and other bodily locations that current technology cannot easily treat. Upon contact with blood, CounterFlow releases bursts of gas to safely self-propel bio-degradable clot-forming and clot-stabilizing drugs against blood flow, delivering them to the source of bleeding. This unique mechanism allows CounterFlow to be applied quickly to a wide assortment of wounds and to act effectively with little management after application. CounterFlow was tested in multiple animal models representing common and deadly bleeding scenarios, including internal bleeding, care under fire without compression, and surgical bleeding, and it was found to outperform current care options by stopping bleeds faster and increasing survival times. CounterFlow is also safe to use and biocompatible. This narrative review summarizes studies testing the effectiveness and safety of CounterFlow, discusses useful applications, and describes future plans for the product.

Hemostatic powders for gastrointestinal bleeding: a review of old, new, and emerging agents in a rapidly advancing field

Background and study aims  Hemostatic powders are increasingly used to address limitations in conventional endoscopic techniques for gastrointestinal bleeding. Various agents exist with different compositions, characteristics, efficacy, and adverse events (AEs). We sought to review existing hemostatic powders, from preclinical to established agents. Methods  A literature review on hemostatic powders for gastrointestinal bleeding was undertaken through a MEDLINE search from 2000-2021 and hand searching of articles. Relevant literature was critically appraised and reviewed for mechanism of action, hemostasis and rebleeding rate, factors associated with hemostatic failure, and AEs. Results  The most established agents are TC-325 (Hemospray), EndoClot, and Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS). These agents have been successfully applied to a variety of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding etiologies, in the form of primary, combination, salvage, and bridging therapy. Few AEs have been reported, including visceral perforation, venous embolism, and self-limited abdominal pain. Newer agents include CEGP-003 and UI-EWD, which have shown results similar to those for the older agents in initial clinical studies. All aforementioned powders have high immediate hemostasis rates, particularly in scenarios not amenable to conventional endoscopic methods, but are limited by significant rates of rebleeding. Other treatments include TDM-621 (PuraStat) consisting of a liquid hemostatic agent newly applied to endoscopy and self-propelling thrombin powder (CounterFlow Powder), a preclinical but promising agent. Conclusions  Rapid development of hemostatic powders and growing clinical expertise has established these agents as a valuable strategy in gastrointestinal bleeding. Further research will continue to refine the efficacy and applicability of these agents.

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

BACKGROUND

Non-compressible 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 (TXA) locally to noncompressible intracavitary wounds. We hypothesized that in swine with massive NCTH, dilutional coagulopathy and hypothermia, delivering SPTP could extend survival times.

METHODS

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. SPTP was delivered into the closed abdomen using a CO2-powered spray device and a catheter placed into the hemoperitoneum, entering through the upper right quadrant using the Seldinger technique. Survival to one and three 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.

RESULTS

SPTP dispersed as far as 35 +/- 5.0 cm within the abdomen. SPTP increased survival to one and three hours (Kaplan-Meier p = 0.007 for both). The median survival time was 61 minutes with SPTP and 31 minutes without (p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

SPTP effectively disperses medications throughout a hemoperitoneum and increases survival in a model of NCTH. SPTP is a promising strategy for nonsurgical management of NCTH, warranting further testing of its safety and efficacy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Basic Science, N/A.

Percutaneous delivery of self-propelling hemostatic powder for managing non-compressible abdominal hemorrhage: a proof-of-concept study in swine

INTRODUCTION

Non-compressible intra-abdominal hemorrhage (NCIAH) is a major cause of preventable death on the battlefield and in civilian trauma. Currently, it can only be definitively managed with surgery, as there are limited strategies for controlling ongoing NCIAH in the prehospital environment. We hypothesized that a self-propelling thrombin-containing powder (SPTP) could increase survival in a swine model of NCIAH when delivered percutaneously into the closed abdomen using an engineered spray system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nineteen swine underwent surgical laparotomy followed by a Grade V liver injury that created massive hemorrhage, before closing the abdomen with sutures. Animals either received treatment with standard of care fluid resuscitation (n=9) or the SPTP spray system (n=10), which consisted of a spray device and a 14 Fr catheter. Using the spray system, SPTP was delivered into a hemoperitoneum identified using a focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) exam. Lactated Ringer's solution was administered to all animals to maintain a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of >50 mmHg. The primary outcome was percentage of animals surviving at three hours following injury.

RESULTS

In the swine model of NCIAH, a greater percentage of animals receiving SPTP survived to three hours, although differences were not significant. The SPTP spray system increased the median survival of animals from 1.6 hr in the fluid resuscitation group to 4.3 hr. The SPTP spray system delivered a total mass of 18.5 ± 1.0 g of SPTP. The mean change in intra-abdominal pressure following SPTP delivery was 5.2 ± 1.8 mmHg (mean ± SEM). The intervention time was 6.7 ± 1.7 min. No adverse effects related to the SPTP formulation or the spray system were observed. SPTP was especially beneficial in animals that had either severely elevated lactate concentrations or low mean arterial pressure of <35 mmHg shortly after injury.

CONCLUSIONS

This demonstrates proof-of-concept for use of a new minimally invasive procedure for managing NCIAH, which could extend survival time to enable patients to reach definitive surgical care.

Advances in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Safety and Efficiency of Transnasal Endoscopy

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common disorder and a gastroenterological emergency. With the development of new techniques and devices, the survivability after gastrointestinal bleeding is improving. However, at the same time, we are facing the difficulty of severely complicated cases with various diseases. For example, while endoscopic examination with a normal diameter endoscope is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of UGIB, there are several cases in which it cannot be used. In these cases, transnasal endoscopy (TNE) may be a viable treatment option. This report reviews current hemostatic devices for endoscopic treatment and the safety and efficiency of using TNE in complicated cases. The latter will be demonstrated in a case report where TNE was employed in a patient with severe esophageal stenosis. This review summarizes the advances made in the devices used and will provide further ideas for the physician in terms of combining these devices and TNE.