Apósito hemostático de gasa de combate Quickclot

Is QuikClot Combat Gauze CoTCCC recommended?

Yes. QuikClot Combat Gauze has been the CoTCCC (Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care) recommended hemostatic dressing of choice since April 2008 — the longest-standing CoTCCC recommendation for any hemostatic agent. It is designated as the primary first-line hemostatic dressing for compressible hemorrhage not amenable to tourniquet use, and is the only hemostatic gauze carried by all branches of the U.S. Military. Note: CoTCCC recommends — it does not 'approve' or 'certify' products.

How does QuikClot Combat Gauze work?

QuikClot Combat Gauze is impregnated with kaolin, an inorganic clay mineral that activates Factor XII (Hageman factor) in the intrinsic coagulation cascade. This accelerates the body's natural clotting ability, generating thrombin and ultimately a cross-linked fibrin clot. Unlike chitosan-based hemostatics (Celox, ChitoGauze, ChitoSAM) that work independent of the clotting cascade via muco-adhesion, kaolin works synergistically with the clotting cascade. Importantly, modern Combat Gauze produces no heat — an important distinction from earlier zeolite-based QuikClot powder products.

What are the dimensions and shelf life of QuikClot Combat Gauze?

The gauze strip measures 3 inches × 4 yards (7.5 cm × 3.7 m) in a Z-fold configuration. The packaged dimensions are approximately 6 in. H × 4 in. W × 0.6 in. D, weighing approximately 0.8 oz. The shelf life is 5 years from the date of manufacture (extended from the original 3-year shelf life in 2015 following extended stability testing). Products should be stored at ambient temperature in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. No refrigeration is required.

Can QuikClot Combat Gauze be used on patients taking blood thinners?

QuikClot Combat Gauze relies on the activation of the intrinsic clotting cascade via Factor XII. In patients on anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin, direct oral anticoagulants) or those with hypothermia-induced coagulopathy, the clotting cascade may be impaired, potentially reducing efficacy. For such cases, chitosan-based alternatives like Celox Rapid or ChitoGauze XR PRO — which work independent of the clotting cascade via red blood cell adhesion — may provide a complementary advantage. In field conditions, Combat Gauze should still be used as directed, with aggressive wound packing and sustained pressure.

What is the difference between QuikClot Combat Gauze and QuikClot Combat Gauze LE?

Both are the same kaolin-impregnated, 3 in. × 4 yd. Z-fold gauze with identical hemostatic performance and specifications. The LE (Law Enforcement) variant is packaged in a different packaging format optimized for civilian law enforcement and EMS contexts, and may have a different foil pouch color or labeling. Both carry the same 5-year shelf life, NSN, and CoTCCC recommendation status. MED-TAC International stocks both variants to serve military, law enforcement, and civilian trauma responders.