Self-propelling thrombin powder enables hemostasis with no observable recurrent bleeding or thrombosis over 3 days in a porcine model of upper GI bleeding

Background and aims: Hemostatic powders used to manage upper GI bleeding continue to exhibit high recurrent bleeding rates. Previously, self-propelling thrombin powder (SPTP) sprayed endoscopically managed severe Forrest class 1A bleeding. Here, we evaluate SPTP in a 3-day recovery model of diffuse ulcerated bleeding.

Methods: Five anesthetized pigs underwent an endoscopic mucosal snare resection to trigger diffuse ulcer bleeding and were treated with SPTP. The time to hemostasis and the amount of powder delivered were measured. Pigs were recovered and monitored.

Results: Five pigs achieved hemostasis in 4.5 ± 1.2 minutes At 3 days after the procedure, the pigs were rescoped and showed no recurrent bleeding. Measured blood parameters were not significantly different from baseline. There were no signs of foreign bodies or thromboembolism during gross necropsy and histopathology of key organs.

Conclusions: SPTP is a promising novel material that stopped diffuse ulcer bleeding in 5 pigs without recurrent bleeding or adverse local or systemic events.