Chitosan: a new hemostatic.

Chitosan is a deacetylated derivative of arthropod chitin. We found that it formed a coagulum in contact with defibrinated blood, heparinized blood, and washed red cells. When knitted DeBakey grafts were treated with chitosan, they were impermeable to blood. Examination of these grafts at 24 hours revealed no rebleeding. Examination at one, two, three, and four months showed the grafts to be encased in smooth muscle with a living endothelial lining and an abundant vasa vasorum. Control grafts showed the usual fibrous healing.