Therapeutic efficacy of tranexamic acid on traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tranexamic acid is associated with post-injury mortality in a resource-limited trauma system: Findings from the epidemiology and outcomes of prolonged trauma care cohort study

BACKGROUND

Injury-related deaths claim millions of lives annually, with severe hemorrhage a leading cause. This study assesses tranexamic acid (TXA) administered within 3 h post-injury on mortality in trauma patients.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted secondary database analysis of EpiC, a multicenter, prospective cohort of trauma patients in South Africa. We compared mortality between severely injured patients at risk for traumatic hemorrhage receiving TXA within 3 h post-injury versus untreated patients. Inverse probability of treatment weighting adjusted for confounders, and multivariate logistic regression assessed 24-h mortality, with extended secondary outcome analyses.

RESULTS

Of 3607 analyzed patients, 502 received TXA within 3 h. TXA reduced 24-h mortality by 38% (marginal odds ratio [mOR], 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49-0.78) versus untreated patients. Similar reductions were observed for longer-term mortality. Subgroup analyses revealed reduced mortality when TXA was given within 2 h post-injury (mOR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.45-0.73), doses of 1 g of TXA within 3 h (mOR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56-0.94), and those with the highest risk of hemorrhage (mOR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.30-0.53). The 24-h mortality reduction was significant for patients with penetrating injury (mOR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.43-0.78) but not for blunt injury patients. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings, with TXA consistently reducing mortality odds by 28%-39% across subgroups.

DISCUSSION

Early TXA administration significantly reduced mortality in trauma patients, especially with penetrating injuries and those with the highest risk of hemorrhage. One-gram dosing was as effective as higher doses, and mortality reduction was notable when TXA was given within 2 h post-injury. These findings support TXA use in resource-limited trauma protocols.

Tranexamic acid applications in neurocritical patients: A narrative review

In patients with spontaneous or traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, hematoma expansion is associated with poorer neurological outcomes and increased mortality. The administration of an antifibrinolytic agent like tranexamic acid (TXA) may potentially improve clinical outcomes in patients with acute brain injury by preventing such intracranial expansion. However, studies on the impact of TXA in these patients have yielded variable results, and its efficacy, appropriate dosing and optimal timing of administration remain unclear. The present review summarizes the clinical evidence regarding the proper use of tranexamic acid in the treatment of intracranial traumatic and non-traumatic hemorrhage, and its implications for clinical practice.

Resuscitation and Initial Management After Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Questions for the On-Call Shift

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability and mortality globally, stemming from both primary mechanical injuries and subsequent secondary responses. Effective early management of moderate-to-severe TBI is essential to prevent secondary damage and improve patient outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive guide for the resuscitation and stabilization of TBI patients, combining clinical experience with current evidence-based guidelines. Key areas addressed in this study include the identification and classification of severe TBI, intubation strategies, and optimized resuscitation targets to maintain cerebral perfusion. The management of coagulopathy and special considerations for patients with concomitant hemorrhagic shock are discussed in depth, along with recommendations for neurosurgical interventions. This article further explores the role of multimodal neuromonitoring and targeted temperature management to mitigate secondary brain injury. Finally, it discusses end-of-life care in cases of devastating brain injury (DBI). This practical review integrates foundational and recent advances in TBI management to aid in reducing secondary injuries and enhancing long-term recovery, presenting a multidisciplinary approach to support acute care decisions in TBI patients.

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury and Pulmonary Embolism: Risks, Prevention, Diagnosis and Management

Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is a silent epidemic, causing approximately 300,000 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions annually, with a 30% mortality rate. Despite worldwide efforts to optimize the management of patients and improve outcomes, the level of evidence for the treatment of these patients remains low. The concomitant occurrence of thromboembolic events, particularly pulmonary embolism (PE), remains a challenge for intensivists due to the risks of anticoagulation to the injured brain. We performed a literature review on sTBI and concomitant PE to identify and report the most recent advances on this topic. We searched PubMed and Scopus for papers published in the last five years that included the terms "pulmonary embolism" and "traumatic brain injury" in their title or abstract. Exclusion criteria were papers referring to children, non-sTBI populations, and post-acute care. Our search revealed 75 papers, of which 38 are included in this review. The main topics covered include the prevalence of and risk factors for pulmonary embolism, the challenges of timely diagnosis in the ICU, the timing of pharmacological prophylaxis, and the treatment of diagnosed PE.

[Evolution of systemic and local hemostatic agents in armed conflicts]

The issue of emergency care for traumatic bleeding is of particular relevance in modern medicine due to widespread military conflicts. This characterizes the need to summarize available data on hemostatic agents in combat conditions. This review of available literature is devoted to systemic and local hemostatic agents, as well as devices for temporary bleeding arrest. The most promising local hemostatic agents are chitosan-based products. Systemic hemostatic agents are represented by various forms and require further clinical trials. Modern tourniquets significantly reduce the mortality rate in extreme conditions and significantly exceed their historical counterparts in convenience and efficiency.