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This section talks about the most current treatments to prevent bleeding. The ONS Web site lists clinical studies conducted on these topics.

Most Helpful

A platelet infusion is given either to prevent your platelet count from becoming too low or to treat a very low platelet count. Platelets are a type of blood cell that are your body's first line of defense in forming a clot when injury and bleeding occur.

Mesna protects the body from the toxic effects of certain types of chemotherapies, especially those that target the kidneys and bladder. If any organ is irritated enough from chemotherapy, bleeding can occur. Mesna protects against such bleeding.

Not Enough Evidence

Several biologic drugs and three surgical techniques fall into this category.

Biologic drugs

  • Prohemostatic agents work in one of three ways.
  • They stimulate the body to make clotting factors.
  • They provide the body with clotting factors that may have been depleted.
  • They keep blood clots from being dissolved prematurely.
  • Platelet growth factors prevent low platelet counts by stimulating the bone marrow to make more platelets.
  • Hormonal agents can work differently in men and women. For example, leuprolide can prevent heavy menstrual bleeding in women. In men, leuprolide can inhibit tumor growth in cases of prostate cancer.
  • Recombinant epidermal growth hormone stimulates cellular repair, healing, and growth.
  • Tetrachlorodecaoxygen (TCDO) works in multiple ways. It produces collagen to fill the gaps in wounds, stimulates the immune system, and enhances the healing process.

Several minimally invasive surgical techniques can stop bleeding without causing additional bleeding from the surgery itself. These include

  • Endoscopic procedures-can be used to place self-expandable metallic stents in strategic areas to seal off or prevent bleeding.
  • Endovascular embolization-a technique by which a thin catheter is used to place a tiny coil near an area of bleeding. Then a low-energy electric current is applied to seal off an area of bleeding. 
  • Ultrasonic-activated surgical instruments-virtually bloodless options for surgeries.