TraumaDEX versus QuikClot

[Guest guest]

As I was confused myself, I researched these products. Both work by

adsorbing water in the blood thus concentrating the formed elements

(platelets) and clotting proteins. This activates and hastens the clotting

cascade through hemoconcentration. One does so through a physical reaction

and the other does so through simple water adsorption.

QuikClot: QuikClot's main component material is a synthetic derivative of

volcanic rock. It has many pores that capture and hold the water molecules

in the blood. The ability to attract and hold the water molecules is due to

electrostatic forces that are present in the pores of QuikClot material when

it is dry and are liberated when the QuikClot is saturated. These are the

same types of forces that cause static cling, but in the formulation of

QuikClot, they are much stronger. Water molecules are held very strongly.

The clotting factors, proteins in the blood, and the cellular components of

the blood are not attracted nor held by the QuikClot, because they are

simply too big to fit in the pore structure of the QuikClot material. This

leaves them free to do their work at the wound site. Upon application,

QuikClot rapidly attracts water molecules, and almost instantly the internal

pores are filled. There are no chemical changes to the blood, the water, or

the QuikClot. Since the reaction is physical, and not biological or

chemical, there is almost no chance for an allergic reaction to occur. The

adsorption of water into the QuikClot granules can cause an instantaneous

release of heat, called an exothermic reaction. The release of heat stops

when the pores of the QuikClot become filled, which due to QuikClot's strong

attraction for water, is only a second or two. There are many variables that

affect the heat generated when QuikClot is used. It's been our experience

that the exothermic reaction with blood generates less heat than water

alone. Under controlled experiment conditions, the highest temperature

observed was 140 degrees F. Cost is about $ 22.00 per application.

TRaumaDEX: Starch-based beads are placed in powder form. These have a

large osmotic action dehydrating the blood and concentrating the formed

elements and clotting factors. No exothermic reaction occurs. No evidence of

allergic reaction, Cost is $10.95 per application.

The only study shows TraumaDEX no more effective than bandaging, but shows

QuikClot to be more effective. This is probably because it has more

electrostatic properties and there may be some benefit from the exothermic

reaction. The studies on the TraumaDEX web site are simply anecdotal videos

that look impressive, but tell us nothing about outcome. I see no benefit

from either of these in EMS except as part of a disaster pack for an MCI.

[Guest guest]

Did they give a cost factor for Quick-Clot? As I stated before, the cost for

TraumaDex is extremely high and show no reason for use.

Andy

[Guest guest]

Disregard last post. I see it in the last paragraph. I was scanning through

too fast.

[Guest guest]

Disregard last post. I see it in the last paragraph. I was scanning through

too fast.