Arterial hemorrhage is one of the major complications during brain surgeries, especially in elderly patients who have fragile vasculature. A rapid and localized hemostasis agent is critical to prevent severe neurological damage to the brain and enhance the success rate of surgeries.
Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent effective in stabilizing blood clots, but systemic administration poses risks like seizures and thrombosis. This study investigates an injectable alginate-gelatin hydrogel that mimics the mechanical properties of brain tissue while efficiently delivering TXA. Therefore, TXA-BrainGel is an injectable, biocompatible hydrogel engineered for localized delivery of TXA directly at the surgical site in brain tissue.
In this study we examined the rheological properties of the hydrogel using a rotating disk, confirming its injectability at 25°C. Viscosity decreased with increasing shear stress (as depicted in the following figure).
TXA release in PBS at 37°C showed an initial burst (70% in 6 hours) followed by sustained release (30% in 48 hours, shown in the following figure). In vivo tests on brain-injured rats confirmed its effectiveness in controlling bleeding, highlighting its potential for postoperative hemorrhage management and in controlling bleeding in rat brain tissue.
TBD
