Scientists at the University of British Columbia have developed a self-propelled powder that can deliver coagulants to stop profuse bleeding in instances such as postpartum hemorrhage.

Their discovery, detailed in the journal Science Advances, is considered as a potentially huge advancement in trauma care. The self-propelled powder is the first agent to go to hard-to-reach areas where severe bleeding happens, which traditional methods cannot do. While there are already hundreds of agents created to clot blood, these methods are not effective when the blood loss originates inside the body like in the uterus, sinus or abdomen.

“Bleeding is the number one killer of young people, and maternal death from postpartum hemorrhage can be as high as one in 50 births in low resource settings so these are extreme problems,” says Christian Kastrup, an assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia.

To address this problem, Kastrup and a team of researchers, biochemical engineers and emergency physicians developed simple, gas-generating calcium carbonate micro-particles that can be applied in powder form to stop critical bleeding.

Similar to antacid tablets, the particles release carbon dioxide gas to propel them toward the source of bleeding. The carbonate forms porous micro particles that can bind with a clotting agent known as tranexamic acid. These are transported through wounds and deep into the damaged tissue.

Using two animal models, the researchers confirmed the results of their study by mimicking catastrophic scenarios like a gunshot wound to a femoral artery. They found that even in such events, the particles proved highly effective in stopping the bleeding.

The team notes that more rigorous testing and development is needed to bring the agent to market. However, they claim that the particles could have a wide range of uses, from sinus operations to treating combat wounds.

According to Kastrup, they are focusing on addressing postpartum hemorrhage, which occurs in the uterus after childbirth. The World Health Organisation reports that postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, with a prevalence rate of approximately 6 percent. In Africa and Asia, where most maternal deaths occur, the condition accounts for more than 30 percent of all maternal deaths.

In March 2015, researchers at the University of Washington developed an injectable polymer that rapidly works to help develop a solid clot. Called PolySTAT, it works by fusing fibrin strands to each other and creating links between the clumps. This creates a strong web of fibrin capable of withstanding pressure from blood pressing against the clot. Using lab rats, the researchers showed a 100 percent success rate in stopping bleeding to an otherwise lethal injury to the femoral artery.

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