Trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans up to the age of 44. When a traumatic injury occurs, the body's natural response is to release inflammatory mediators, which can lead to shock, hemorrhage, and organ failure. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a naturally occurring amino acid that has been used to treat bleeding disorders for centuries. In recent years, TXA has been shown to be effective in reducing bleeding and the risk of death in trauma patients.
TXA works by interfering with the interaction of plasmin and fibrin, which are necessary for the breakdown of blood clots. By inhibiting fibrinolysis, TXA can stabilize clots and reduce the amount of blood loss. In a randomized controlled trial of more than 15,000 trauma patients, TXA was found to reduce the risk of death by 28%. In patients with traumatic brain injuries, TXA was also found to reduce the risk of death by 31%.
TXA is approved for use in the United States for the treatment of shock after trauma. In addition to reducing the risk of death, TXA has also been shown to improve the patient's functional outcome. TXA is an important part of the emergency treatment of trauma patients and can save lives.
