A New Drug to Help Accident Victims?

Each year almost 600,000 people bleed to death as a result of a serious accident or injury. Stopping the blood loss is the key to saving accident victims in many cases. According to a new study from the United Kingdom, a simple, inexpensive injection could help accident victims by stopping the uncontrolled bleeding that so often takes their life.

Save Accident Victims with an Injection?

A drug called tranexamic acid, or TXA, helps to stop blood loss in patients undergoing surgical procedures, but it may also help accident victims who are at risk for serious blood loss.

A recent study looked at the effects of TXA on over 20,000 adults who had sustained serious injuries associated with significant bleeding. These adults received either TXA to stop blood loss - or a placebo. Researchers were interested in whether TXA reduced the risk of these trauma patients dying as a result of their injuries.

The results were encouraging. TXA reduced the risk of serious bleeding and death by 15 percent. None of these patients had serious side effects from the medication, which had been a concern. TXA has the potential to stop blood loss, and, potentially save the lives of accident victims.

Why Isnt TXA Already Being Used to Help Accident Victims?

TXA is used to prevent excessive blood loss during major surgeries, but doctors have hesitated to use it to help accident victims. Why the reluctance to use this life-saving drug? Some are concerned about the potential risks. TXA works by preventing the breakdown of blood clots, which helps to stop blood loss. Because of its effects on blood clotting, it could theoretically increase the risk of stroke, blood clots in the lungs, or heart attack. Despite these concerns, the patients in this large study had no serious side effects from the medication.

TXA to Help Accident Victims: The Bottom Line?

TXA could provide a safe and inexpensive way to help accident victims by lowering their risk of serious blood loss. This could save thousands of live worldwide, particularly in low-income countries where the accident rate is higher. It could also reduce the risk of long-term disability. Hopefully, emergency room doctors will add this to their list of "must-have" medications in the near future.

References:

Eurek Alert website. "Simple injection could save the lives of thousands of accident victims worldwide"