HemCon Bandage Update

There is a new bandage currently being used on the battlefields in Iraq called a HemCon® Bandage that is made from the shells of shrimp. I queried our allergist as to the safety of this Bandage for the shellfish allergic, because the product is now being marketed to local EMTs across the USA. The response that our allergist received from the company is as follows:There have been no known allergic reactions as a result of using the HemCon Bandage since distribution began in 2003 and there have been no adverse effects reported in over 500,000 bandages shipped. HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc. has results from a shellfish allergy study conducted by its chitosan supplier which demonstrates that, out of 221 individuals with suspected hypersensitivity, including 8 individuals with known shellfish allergies, none demonstrated any dermal sensitivity when pricked with a chitosan test solution. However, since chitosan is extracted from the shells of shrimp, other shellfish and fungi, individuals with known shellfish allergies should exercise caution in the use of products containing chitosan.

Source: AllergicChild.com

I was wondering as well whether those chitosan bandages would cause a reaction/anaphylactic shock in those unfortunate individuals with a severe shellfish allergy. Supposedly not, but it might be a good idea to wear one of those medical allergy alert bracelets in the event of an accident.

Suspended Animation Via Hypothermia

A handful of adventuresome scientists are studying the molecular secrets of hibernation and extreme hypothermia in hopes of finding a new generation of treatments that can slow down metabolism for just a few hours. Their goal is to buy time after a car accident, gunshot wound or massive heart attack to get a person into the hospital and into surgery before they die or suffer extensive brain damage.

Their work is in the very preliminary stages, and human trials are only now being planned. But the implications are huge if any of these treatments work. Without oxygen, heart cells begin to die in 20 minutes. Brain cells last just 5 minutes without oxygen. Despite defibrillators and other modern gear, survival rates after cardiac arrest are around 30% inside hospitals and 5% or so outside of them.Source: Forbes

I hope this works but wonder how clinical trials will be done.