Tranexamic acid in trauma-induced coagulopathy

Abstract

Trauma is still the leading cause of death in the world among the population under the age of 45 and bleeding is the dominant cause of early mortality in one third of all injured. Coagulopathy in trauma is directly related to the outcome and is considered to be the most significant preventable cause of death. Trauma-induced coagulopathy is a complex, multifactorial disorder that can be roughly divided into three phases. The entity of acute traumatic coagulopathy is characterized as an endogenous hemostatic disorder that occurs in the first few minutes of injury associated with tissue damage caused by severe trauma and hemorrhagic shock, regardless of external factors. The pathogenesis of trauma-induced coagulopathy is not fully known and is still the subject of research. According to the latest recommendations of the European Guide for the Management of Massive Bleeding and Coagulopathy in Trauma, tranexamic acid should be used as soon as possible, and no later than three hours after the injury in a patient who is bleeding or at risk of significant bleeding. Its prehospital application should be considered. In the light of new knowledge, the question of the justification and safety of the free use of tranexamic acid in trauma has been raised. The use of tranexamic acid in trauma-induced coagulopathy is a simple and affordable therapeutic approach that should be used in the prehospital period in those patients who are bleeding or at risk of significant bleeding. The implementation of this therapy in our country has not yet come to life.

Keywords

• trauma
• trauma-induced coagulopathy
• tranexamic acid
• prehospital use