Carboxymethyl Chitosan Derivatives in Blood Clotting

Hemorrhage is one of the major challenges in healthcare area. Many hemostats are commercially available, but their application is limited due to high cost, non-biocompatible and immunogenic properties. Chitosan and its derivatives have been extensively used as a hemostatic material to stop bleeding. The amine and hydroxyl groups of chitosan are modified into different derivatives, for exhibiting better solubility, hemostatic properties, biocompatibility, moisture absorption, film-forming, and antibacterial activities. One such derivative is carboxymethyl chitosan and it has been widely studied for hemostatic and other biomedical applications. In this book chapter, we are overviewing the different forms of carboxymethyl chitosan derivatives such as hydrogel, sponges, cryogel, membranes and microspheres which were studied for hemostatic applications.