Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury (TXA)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01990768 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : November 21, 2013
Results First Posted : January 14, 2019
Last Update Posted : January 14, 2019
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Primary aim: To determine the efficacy of two dosing regimens of TXA initiated in the prehospital setting in patients with moderate to severe TBI (GCS score ≤12).
Primary hypothesis: The null hypothesis is that random assignment to prehospital administration of TXA in patients with moderate to severe TBI will not change the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term neurologic outcome compared to random assignment to placebo, based on the GOS-E at 6 months.
Secondary aims: To determine differences between TXA and placebo in the following outcomes for patients with moderate to severe TBI treated in the prehospital setting with 2 dosing regimens of TXA:
- Clinical outcomes: ICH progression, Marshall and Rotterdam CT classification scores, DRS at discharge and 6 months, GOS-E at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical interventions, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days.
- Safety outcomes: Development of seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction, deep venous thrombosis, and pulmonary thromboembolism.
- Mechanistic outcomes: Alterations in fibrinolysis based on fibrinolytic pathway mediators and degree of clot lysis based on TEG.
Inclusion: Blunt and penetrating traumatic mechanism consistent with TBI with prehospital GCS ≤ 12 prior to administration of sedative and/or paralytic agents, prehospital SBP ≥ 90 mmHg, prehospital intravenous (IV) access, age ≥ 15yrs (or weight ≥ 50kg if age is unknown), EMS transport destination based on standard local practices determined to be a participating trauma center.
Exclusion: Prehospital GCS=3 with no reactive pupil, estimated time from injury to start of study drug bolus dose >2 hours, unknown time of injury, clinical suspicion by EMS of seizure activity, acute MI or stroke or known history, to the extent possible, of seizures, thromboembolic disorders or renal dialysis, CPR by EMS prior to randomization, burns > 20% TBSA, suspected or known prisoners, suspected or known pregnancy, prehospital TXA or other pro-coagulant drug given prior to randomization, subjects who have activated the "opt-out" process when required by the local regulatory board.
A multi-center double-blind randomized controlled trial with 3 treatment arms:
- Bolus/maintenance: 1 gram IV TXA bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a 1 gram IV maintenance infusion initiated on hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours.
- Bolus only: 2 grams IV TXA bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a placebo maintenance infusion initiated on hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours.
- Placebo: Placebo IV bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a placebo maintenance infusion initiated on hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Traumatic Brain Injury | Drug: 1 gram Tranexamic Acid (TXA) Drug: 2 grams TXA Drug: 0.9% Sodium Chloride injectable | Phase 2 |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 967 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury |
Study Start Date : | May 2015 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | November 7, 2017 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | November 7, 2017 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: 1 gram Tranexamic Acid (TXA)
Loading dose of 1 gram TXA given prior to hospital arrival followed by a 1 gram TXA infusion over 8 hours after hospital arrival
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Drug: 1 gram Tranexamic Acid (TXA)
TXA produces an antifibrinolytic effect by competitively inhibiting the activation of plasminogen to plasmin.
Other Name: Cyklokapron |
Experimental: 2 grams TXA
Loading dose of 2 gram TXA given prior to hospital arrival followed by a placebo of 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution infusion over 8 hours after hospital arrival
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Drug: 2 grams TXA
TXA produces an antifibrinolytic effect by competitively inhibiting the activation of plasminogen to plasmin.
Other Name: Cyklokapron |
Placebo Comparator: 0.9% Sodium Chloride injectable
Loading dose of 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution given prior to hospital arrival followed by a placebo of 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution infusion over 8 hours after hospital arrival
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Drug: 0.9% Sodium Chloride injectable
Loading dose of 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution given prior to hospital arrival followed by a placebo of 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution infusion over 8 hours after hospital arrival. No active drug is added to the solution.
Other Name: Normal saline solution |
- Dichotomized Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOS-E) at 6 Months [ Time Frame: 6 months post-injury ]GOS-E subdivides the categories of severe and moderate disability and good recovery using a scale of 1 to 8 where 1 = death, 2 = vegetative state, 3 = lower severe disability, 4 = upper severe disability, 5 = lower moderate disability, 6 = upper moderate disability, 7 = lower good recovery, and 8 = upper good recovery. Structured telephone interviews have been developed and validated for the GOS-E and these questions were incorporated into the follow-up survey. GOS-E was dichotomized into unfavorable (1 to 4) and favorable (5 to 8) outcomes.
- Number of Participants Who Died Within 28 Days [ Time Frame: 28 days after hospital arrival ]The counts of patients who died on or before day 28 are reported.
- Disability Rating Scale (DRS) at 6 Months [ Time Frame: 6 months post-injury ]The DRS is designed to classify patients based on their degree of function after brain injury. The DRS consists of 8 items that fall into 4 categories: (a) arousability, awareness and responsivity, (b) cognitive ability for self-care activities, (c) dependence on others, and (d) psychosocial adaptability. The score ranges from 0 (no disability) to 30 (death).
- Number of Participants With Unfavorable Outcome on Dichotomized Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOS-E) at Discharge [ Time Frame: At the end of the hospital stay (average of 9 days post injury) ]GOS-E subdivides the categories of severe and moderate disability and good recovery using a scale of 1 to 8 where 1 = death, 2 = vegetative state, 3 = lower severe disability, 4 = upper severe disability, 5 = lower moderate disability, 6 = upper moderate disability, 7 = lower good recovery, and 8 = upper good recovery. Structured telephone interviews have been developed and validated for the GOS-E and these questions were incorporated into the follow-up survey. GOS-E was dichotomized into unfavorable (1 to 4) and favorable (5 to 8) outcomes. The number of subjects with unfavorable outcome is reported.
- Disability Rating Scale (DRS) at Discharge [ Time Frame: At the end of the hospital stay (average of 9 days post injury) ]The DRS is designed to classify patients based on their degree of function after brain injury. The DRS consists of 8 items that fall into 4 categories: (a) arousability, awareness and responsivity, (b) cognitive ability for self-care activities, (c) dependence on others, and (d) psychosocial adaptability. The score ranges from 0 (no disability) to 30 (death).
- Number of Participants With Intracranial Hemorrhage (ICH) Progression [ Time Frame: From hospital admission through 28 days or the end of the hospital stay if sooner (average of 13 days among patients with multiple scans) ]All clinically indicated head computed tomography (CT) scans obtained during the initial hospitalization or within the first 28 days were assessed for ICH. Parenchymal (IPH), subdural (SDH) and epidural (EDH) hemorrhage volumes were measured and quantified using volumetric software and verified by manual calculations based on the previously validated ABC/2 technique. The sum of the IPH, SDH, and EDH volumes were compared across scans. A relative increase of 33% (and at least a 1 ml increase) on any subsequent scan compared to the initial scan was defined as a progression.
- Marshall Computed Tomography (CT) Score on Initial Head CT [ Time Frame: Initial head CT (average of 1.9 hours post-injury) ]The Marshall classification categorizes patients into one of six categories (I to VI) of increasing severity on the basis of findings on non-contrast CT scan of the brain. Higher categories have worse prognosis and survival.
- Rotterdam Computed Tomography (CT) Score Among Subjects With Intracranial Hemorrhage (ICH) on Initial Head CT [ Time Frame: Initial head CT (average of 1.9 hours post-injury) ]The Rotterdam classification includes four independently scored elements: degree of basal cistern compression, degree of midline shift, presence of epidural hematomas, and presence of intraventricular or subarachnoid blood. The elements are combined to form an overall score from 1 to 6 with higher scores having worse prognosis and survival.
- Number of Participants With One or More Neurosurgical Interventions [ Time Frame: From hospital admission through 28 days or the end of the hospital stay if sooner (average of 9 days) ]Neurosurgical interventions include craniotomy, craniectomy, and placement of a neuromonitoring or drainage device. Counts are of subjects with one or more neurosurgical interventions.
- Hospital-free Days [ Time Frame: From hospital admission through day 28 ]Hospital-free days count any day from hospital admission through day 28 that the patient is alive and out of the hospital.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU)-Free Days [ Time Frame: From hospital admission through day 28 ]ICU-free days count any day from hospital admission through day 28 that the patient is alive and not in the ICU. Subjects who die prior to discharge (even if after 28 days) are assigned a value of 0.
- Ventilator-free Days [ Time Frame: From hospital admission through day 28 ]Ventilator-free days count any day from hospital admission through day 28 that the patient is alive and does not require mechanical ventilatory support. Subjects who die prior to discharge (even if after 28 days) are assigned a value of 0.
- Number of Participants With Seizure [ Time Frame: From start of study drug infusion through 28 days or the end of the hospital stay if sooner (average of 9 days) ]Seizures may cause involuntary changes in body movement or function, sensation, awareness, or behavior. Seizures are often associated with a sudden and involuntary contraction of a group of muscles and loss of consciousness. Seizures or episodes of seizure-like activity were reported by medics in the field following the start of study drug infusion through hand-off to the trauma center and by trauma center staff through discharge. Reported events were included if providers gave anti-seizure medication and/or the event was confirmed by EEG.
- Number of Participants With Cerebral Ischemic Event [ Time Frame: From hospital admission through 28 days or the end of the hospital stay if sooner (average of 9 days) ]Diagnosis of cerebral ischemic event
- Number of Participants With Myocardial Infarction (MI) [ Time Frame: From hospital admission through 28 days or the end of the hospital stay if sooner (average of 9 days) ]Diagnosis of an acute myocardial infarction
- Number of Participants With Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) [ Time Frame: From hospital admission through 28 days or the end of the hospital stay if sooner (average of 9 days) ]Diagnosis of DVT
- Number of Participants With Pulmonary Embolus (PE) [ Time Frame: From hospital admission through 28 days or the end of the hospital stay if sooner (average of 9 days) ]Diagnosis of PE
- Number of Participants With Any Thromboembolic Event [ Time Frame: From hospital admission through 28 days or the end of the hospital stay if sooner (average of 9 days) ]Diagnosis of one or more of the following: cerebral ischemic event, myocardial infarction (MI), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or any other thromboembolic event
- Fibrinolysis at Hospital Admission [ Time Frame: First blood draw (average of 1.6 hours post-injury) ]Alterations in fibrinolysis based on fibrinolytic pathway mediators and degree of clot lysis based on kaolin-activated thromboelastography (TEG) and defined as LY30 or the per cent lysis that occurs 30 minutes after maximum amplitude (MA) is achieved. LY30 is categorized as <0.8% (fibrinolysis shutdown), 0.8-3% (normal), and >3% (hyperfibrinolysis).

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 15 Years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Blunt or penetrating traumatic mechanism consistent with traumatic brain injury
- Prehospital Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) score ≤ 12 at any time prior to randomization and administration of sedative and/or paralytic agents
- Prehospital systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 90 mmHg prior to randomization
- Prehospital intravenous (IV) or intraosseous (IO) access
- Estimated Age ≥ 15 (or estimated weight > 50 kg if age is unknown)
- Emergency Medicine System (EMS) transport to a participating trauma center
Exclusion Criteria:
- Prehospital GCS=3 with no reactive pupil
- Estimated time from injury to hospital arrival > 2 hours
- Unknown time of injury - no known reference times to support estimation
- Clinical suspicion by EMS of seizure activity or known history of seizures, acute myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke
- Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by EMS prior to randomization
- Burns > 20% total body surface area (TBSA)
- Suspected or known prisoners
- Suspected or known pregnancy
- Prehospital TXA given prior to randomization
- Subjects who have activated the "opt-out" process when required by the local regulatory board

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01990768
United States, Alabama | |
Alabama Resuscitation Center | |
Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35249 | |
United States, Minnesota | |
Hennepin County Medical Center | |
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55415 | |
Mayo Clinic Rochester | |
Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905 | |
St Paul Regions Hospital | |
Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, 55101 | |
United States, Ohio | |
University of Cincinnati Medical Center | |
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45267 | |
United States, Oregon | |
Oregon Health & Sciences University | |
Portland, Oregon, United States, 97239-3098 | |
United States, Texas | |
Dallas Center for Resuscitation Research | |
Dallas, Texas, United States, 75390 | |
Memorial Hermann Hospital - Texas Medical Center | |
Houston, Texas, United States, 77030 | |
United States, Washington | |
Harborview Medical Center | |
Seattle, Washington, United States, 98104 | |
United States, Wisconsin | |
Milwaukee Resuscitation Research Center | |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 53226 | |
Canada, British Columbia | |
British Columbia Regional Coordinating Center | |
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 1 M9 | |
Canada, Ontario | |
Toronto RescuNet | |
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5B 1W8 |
Principal Investigator: | Susanne May, PhD | University of Washington | |
Principal Investigator: | Martin Schreiber, MD FACS | Oregon Health and Science University |
Documents provided by Susanne May, University of Washington:
Responsible Party: | Susanne May, Associate Professor, University of Washington |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01990768 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
47114 5U01HL077863-09 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) TATRC Log No. 13335004-A ( Other Grant/Funding Number: US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) ) |
First Posted: | November 21, 2013 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | January 14, 2019 |
Last Update Posted: | January 14, 2019 |
Last Verified: | December 2018 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Yes |
Plan Description: | Public use data set will be shared with NHLBI. It will include individual patient data that are de-identified. It will be available 3 years after study completion. This is currently expected for the end of 2020. The data should then be available at <https://biolincc.nhlbi.nih.gov/studies/>. |
tranexamic acid traumatic brain injury intracranial hemorrhage prehospital |
neurologic outcome glasgow outcome scale extended disability rating scale |
Brain Injuries Brain Injuries, Traumatic Wounds and Injuries Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Craniocerebral Trauma |
Trauma, Nervous System Tranexamic Acid Antifibrinolytic Agents Fibrin Modulating Agents Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Hemostatics Coagulants |