Hydrogel-coated needles prevent puncture site bleeding in arteriovenous fistula and arteriovenous grafts in rats.

Abstract Introduction Imperfect hemostasis after arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) cannulation can cause a hematoma or pseudoaneurysm and leads to poor satisfaction. We hypothesized that a hydrogel-coated needle would effectively and rapidly stop bleeding after vascular cannulation in a rat AVF and AVG model. Method A hydrogel comprised of sodium alginate (SA), hyaluronic acid (HA), and calcium carbonate was coated onto the surface of suture needles using a rotating system. The needles were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunofluorescence. Rat AVF with or without renal failure and AVG were punctured using bare and hydrogel-coated needles. The tissues were examined by histology. Result The hydrogel was successfully coated onto the surface of 30 G needles and confirmed by SEM. Hydrogel-coated needles rapidly stopped bleeding after AVF and AVG cannulation in rat. Conclusion In this preliminary animal research, hydrogel-coated needles can stop AVF and AVG puncture-site bleeding; but additional clinical studies are needed to justify whether it is still effective in clinical.