Loading...
Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to lower mortality in patients with severe trauma, especially when given within 1 hour of injury (NEJM JW Emerg Med Jul 2010 and Lancet 2010; 376:23; NEJM JW Emerg Med May 2011 and Lancet 2011; 377:1096). These investigators performed a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate TXA for injured patients at risk for hemorrhage. They enrolled 927 patients with hypotension or tachycardia being transported from the scene or a referral hospital within 2 hours of injury. Notable exclusions were age >90 years, lack of IV access, and traumatic cardiac arrest. Patients were randomized to receive placebo or TXA (1-g bolus) during transport. At the trauma center, patients in the TXA group were randomized again to no …