Evaluation of Hemostatic Agents in Emergencies

Background and Aim: In today's modern world, despite numerous advances in medicine, the hemorrhagic shock is still the leading cause of death on the battlefield and the second most common cause of death in civilian trauma. Hemostatic agents can play a key role in establishing hemostasis in the prehospital setting and preventing hemorrhage-associated death. In this regard, the purpose of this article is to investigate the various aspects of known hemostatic factors.
Methods: A comprehensive search of academic scientific databases for related keywords was performed. Related articles were evaluated.
Results: Hemostatic agents can cause hemostasis by different mechanisms, including concentrating coagulation factors, adhesion to the tissues in which traumatic hemorrhage occurred, and delivering procoagulant factors to the hemorrhage site. At present, these hemostatics have been significantly improved with regard to efficacy and adverse consequences resulting from their use. Several hemostatic dressings have been developed to receive FDA approval and are being used practically on the battlefield. In addition, there are currently several reports on the use of such hemostatics in the hospital setting, in conditions where commonly known approaches fail to stop life-threatening bleeding.
Conclusion: The use of hemostatic dressings and agents is one of the main advancements achieved in recent decades. However, it can be claimed that the ideal hemostatic has not been recognized yet; therefore, this topic needs to be brought into focus and further addressed.