CoSeal for Hemostasis of Aortic Anastomoses: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

Bleeding is a major complication of cardiac surgery, and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality [1-4]. Hemostasis can be challenging during complex cardiac surgery, particularly due to friability of the tissue, coagulopathy, poor visualization of the surgical field, and limited accessibility to bleeding sites [5]. Failure to achieve and maintain hemostasis and reinforce fragile tissue may result in additional bleeding, which can further reduce visualization, increase operative blood loss, lengthen surgery, increase the use of blood products, and contribute to postoperative complications and reoperation [1-4].

Postoperative bleeding is a significant concern in cardio-thoracic surgery. Bleeding, either intraoperative or postoperative, has been associated with extended in-hospital length of stay, reoperations, severe morbidity and death [12]. In addition to surgical technique, a variety of therapeutic agents are available to assist in hemostasis. Surgical sealants are used to prevent suture line bleeding when ligation or conventional methods are ineffective or impractical [13]. CoSeal® Surgical Sealant (CoSeal®, Baxter, Westlake Village, CA) is a synthetic polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer [11, 13]. The polymers cross-link with proteins in the tissue and begin to gel in approximately 5 seconds and set within 60 seconds, forming a strong, flexible, clear, degradable hydrogel that adheres to both tissue and synthetic graft surfaces [11, 13-14]. A secure seal is maintained through covalent tissue bonds even under high pressures in vessels, such as the aorta [15]. The gel is completely resorbed within 30 days [14].