It seems that there are always questions and concerns here about going off Coumadin/Warfarin forone procedure or another because of concerns about massive bleeding. Perhaps the following news article by Melissa Healy, LosAngeles Times might provide a remedy for some in the future.
Iraq War Lifesaver Ready Soon For Civilians
One of the Iraq war's most dramatic lifesaving technologies is expected to make its civilian debut this fall, when it becomes available for household use, according to the company that makes it.
QuikClot is a granular powder, a refined mineral called zeolite that looks like cat litter and has many industrial uses. When poured onto a grevious, bleeding wound, QuikClot stanches blood loss almost instantly.
It is one of a group of new "hemostatic agents" that are on the market or in development. Two of them were sent into battle. The small bag of clotting agent was carried in every Marine rucksack and appeared to spell the difference between life and death for 19 soldiers wounded in Iraq, according to Defense Department medical officials, who helped speed FOOD AND DRUG CLEARANCE for QuikClot in May 2002.
In the process the product--along with other innovations in military trauma care--significantly boosted survival rates among those wounded in the Iraq War.
In one case, a Marine was shot through the neck, nicking the carotid artery. QuikClot was poured into his would, sealing it immediately. He made it alive to a field hospital and later to a Navy hospital ship. His wound probably would have been a fatality.
Now Z-Medica, the small Connectitut company that makes QuikClot, has it's eye on saving those wounded in civilian life: in automobile wrecks, shootouts, airline disasters, and household accidents. LATE THIS SUMMER THE COMPANY SAID IT EXPECTS TO BEGIN SELLING QuikClot at US stores with NO prescription required.......The military issue-trauma pack costs about $22; the smaller version for household use will cost less that $10.
But these wonder products are not without ricks. Because of the speed at which it draws water into itself, QuikClot can generate enough heat to burn tissue if too much is used. "It does stop bleeding and it does save lifes," said Dr. Peter Rhee, a trauma surgeon, who has used the product. Rhee is concerned that the product could be risky if used by consumers with poor knowledge of the product and traumatic injury. (30)
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For more information on QuikClot, which is available for sale on the net see the following..
http://www.bestglide.com/quikclotpage.htm
I found it interesting that neither Al's Cardiologist nor his Internist knew about this product, BUT, of all things, our vet says she has been using it for some time now!!! This, in trained hands, could be a real blessing for people on anticoagulants who are at risk of (external) bleeding events for surgery and the like.
Regards,
Blanche
Iraq War Lifesaver Ready Soon For Civilians
One of the Iraq war's most dramatic lifesaving technologies is expected to make its civilian debut this fall, when it becomes available for household use, according to the company that makes it.
QuikClot is a granular powder, a refined mineral called zeolite that looks like cat litter and has many industrial uses. When poured onto a grevious, bleeding wound, QuikClot stanches blood loss almost instantly.
It is one of a group of new "hemostatic agents" that are on the market or in development. Two of them were sent into battle. The small bag of clotting agent was carried in every Marine rucksack and appeared to spell the difference between life and death for 19 soldiers wounded in Iraq, according to Defense Department medical officials, who helped speed FOOD AND DRUG CLEARANCE for QuikClot in May 2002.
In the process the product--along with other innovations in military trauma care--significantly boosted survival rates among those wounded in the Iraq War.
In one case, a Marine was shot through the neck, nicking the carotid artery. QuikClot was poured into his would, sealing it immediately. He made it alive to a field hospital and later to a Navy hospital ship. His wound probably would have been a fatality.
Now Z-Medica, the small Connectitut company that makes QuikClot, has it's eye on saving those wounded in civilian life: in automobile wrecks, shootouts, airline disasters, and household accidents. LATE THIS SUMMER THE COMPANY SAID IT EXPECTS TO BEGIN SELLING QuikClot at US stores with NO prescription required.......The military issue-trauma pack costs about $22; the smaller version for household use will cost less that $10.
But these wonder products are not without ricks. Because of the speed at which it draws water into itself, QuikClot can generate enough heat to burn tissue if too much is used. "It does stop bleeding and it does save lifes," said Dr. Peter Rhee, a trauma surgeon, who has used the product. Rhee is concerned that the product could be risky if used by consumers with poor knowledge of the product and traumatic injury. (30)
---------------------------------------------
For more information on QuikClot, which is available for sale on the net see the following..
http://www.bestglide.com/quikclotpage.htm
I found it interesting that neither Al's Cardiologist nor his Internist knew about this product, BUT, of all things, our vet says she has been using it for some time now!!! This, in trained hands, could be a real blessing for people on anticoagulants who are at risk of (external) bleeding events for surgery and the like.
Regards,
Blanche
