Biodegradable chitosan lactate/polyvinyl alcohol composite sponge for rapid hemostasis and antibacterial protection

Severe bleeding is one of the most life-threatening emergencies, and its rapid control is critical for saving millions of lives each year. The aim of this study was to develop an antibacterial wound dressing based on chitosan lactate (CL)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite sponges, prepared <i>via</i> a freeze-drying process without the use of toxic crosslinking agents, and to evaluate their hemostatic effectiveness in controlling femoral artery bleeding in an animal model. The CL/PVA sponges exhibited a crystalline, interconnected porous structure with a mean pore size of 120 µm. A swelling ratio of approximately 500% was observed, and the sponges were almost completely degraded after 7 d of incubation in simulated body fluid. The composite sponges showed antibacterial activity of 99% against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and 33% against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. In a femoral artery perforation test, CL/PVA sponges effectively stopped bleeding within 59.62 ± 11.89 s, whereas the control group required 117.5 ± 3.25 s - a statistically significant difference (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Characterizing the properties of this material in relation to blood coagulation physiology suggests its potential for controlling life-threatening hemorrhages in emergency situation.