Hemostatic effects of zeolite in lethal vascular injury in swines and histological observation of thermal injury

AIM: To evaluate hemostatic effects and thermal injury of zeolite applied in a lethal vascular injury in swine models. METHODS: A complex groin injury including complete division of the femoral artery and vein and semitransection of quadriceps femoris was induced in 12 healthy swines [(12.89±1.16) kg] which were randomly devided into experiment group and control group (n=6 per group). Zeolite hemostatic agent and standard dressing compression were applicated in the 2 groups respectively 20 s after injury. 250 mL balanced salt solution with sodium lactate started to be infused 15 min after injury.Mean artery pressure, blood loss, death time, mortality rate were recorded within 120 min. Segments of femoral artery, vein, and piece of quadriceps muscle were obtained from the vessel division site for microscopic examination. RESULTS: Hemostasis were achieved 2 min after the application of zeolite in the experiment group (mortality rate 0%); standard dressing failed to stop hemorrhage in the control group (mortality rate 100%). Disruption of the artery wall, variable degree of vein wall necrosis and vacuolated skeletal muscle fibers were found within the tissue 0.5 cm to the vascular departure verge. No significant pathological changes were seen 0.5 cm beyond the vascular departure verge. CONCLUSION: The application of zeolite can successfully control hemorrhage, reduce blood loss and mortality rate in this animal model with lethal vascular injury. Confined thermal injury occured, but it would not disturb vascular anastomosis.