At the nanoscale: nanohemostat, a new class of hemostatic agent.

Three basic categories of hemostats are widely used in surgery today: chemical agents, thermal devices, and mechanical methods that use pressure or ligature to slow bleeding. Each has its benefits and limitations. However, nanotechnology is rapidly ushering in new medical technologies. This review focuses on the 'nanohemostat', a new class of hemostatic agent that stops bleeding in less than 15 seconds by using (RADA)4, referred to as nanohemostat-1 (NHS-1), a synthetic biological material that self-assembles at the nanoscale when applied to a wound, and compares it to the characteristics of the 'ideal hemostat'. (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.