The efficacy of a hemostatic agent in anticoagulant drug-induced rat bleeding model.

BACKGROUND Bleeding is a major problem in warfarin pretreated patients who need emergency surgical procedures. APH is a hemostatic agent with ultra-hydrophilic and particulate properties. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo hemostatic effect of APH in rats pretreated with warfarin. METHODS Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into two main groups: one group was pretreated with warfarin and the other group was not. These two groups were further divided into three subgroups according to the administration of APH, wheat meal, or saline, for a total of six subgroups. Standard full thickness tissue defects were performed on the backs of the rats. Saline, wheat meal, or APH were administered to the bleeding defect site in both main groups. Hemostasis time and amount of bleeding were calculated. RESULTS The bleeding time in rats administered APH was significantly shorter than those administered wheat meal and saline. Consequently, the amount of bleeding was significantly less in the APH groups than in the control groups. CONCLUSION APH has an effective hemostatic property in rats pretreated or non-pretreated with anticoagulants. Hemostatic agents can be useful for incidences of external bleedings, which are increasing because of anticoagulation.