Contributor: Nick Hatch, MD

Educational Pearls:

• In the setting of traumatic injury, tranexamic acid (TXA) is given to stabilize clots which minimizes bleeding and decreases risk of hemorrhagic shock
• Current TXA dose for trauma is 1 g bolus followed by a 1 g infusion; both doses should be given within 3 hours from time of injury
• Due to the split dose and narrow window, patients with complicated care, particularly if they require transfer may miss the infusion dose
• Various smaller studies have shown that dosing 2 g initially or 2 g followed by a 1 g infusion produces the same patient outcomes and no additional harm
• Receiving hospitals should strive to acquire accurate information regarding previous doses of TXA given and confirm timeline of injury

References

Roberts I, Shakur H, Coats T, et al. The CRASH-2 trial: a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of the effects of tranexamic acid on death, vascular occlusive events and transfusion requirement in bleeding trauma patients. Health Technol Assess. 2013;17(10):1-79. doi:10.3310/hta17100

Ramirez RJ, Spinella PC, Bochicchio GV. Tranexamic Acid Update in Trauma. Crit Care Clin. 2017;33(1):85-99. doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2016.08.004

Spinella PC, Thomas KA, Turnbull IR, et al. The Immunologic Effect of Early Intravenous Two and Four Gram Bolus Dosing of Tranexamic Acid Compared to Placebo in Patients With Severe Traumatic Bleeding (TAMPITI): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single-Center Trial. Front Immunol. 2020;11:2085. Published 2020 Sep 8. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.02085

Summarized by Kirsten Hughes, MS4 | Edited by John Spartz, MD, & Erik Verzemnieks, MD

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