The effect of tranexamic acid on traumatic brain hematomas

Abstract

Background: Hematoma is the most serious complication of head trauma and if we are capable to prevent the increment in size of hematoma, not only the mortality and morbidity but also the need of surgical intervention will decrease in management of head trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tranexamic acid on traumatic brain hematomas. Methods: In a double blind clinical study, 190 head injured patients in whom the primary brain Computed tomography scan (CT scan) had confirmed the existence of one of the different kinds of hematoma were selected and randomly divided in two groups, the first group received Tranexamic acid and the second group received placebo (normal saline). For all patients another brain CT scan was performed 24 hour after receiving the medication for detecting new bleeding or a change in size of the previously existing hematoma and the CT scans were reported by an expert radiologist. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS software. Findings: Before the intervention the mean volume of the hematoma in the case and control group was 4.7 ± 4.9 and 5.0 ± 4.2, respectively and there was not statistically difference between the two groups (P = 0.64). The mean change in the volume of hematoma after intervention in the case and control group was -0.01 ± 3.71 and -0.13 ± 2.48, respectively and no statistically significant difference between the two groups were observed but considering the type of hematoma, the study showed meaningful decrease in the size of brain contusions in the case group. Conclusion: The effect of Tranexamic acid in traumatic brain injuries depends on the type of the lesion so that its effect on brain contusions was more prominent, although further studies are recommended to determine the overall effect of medication. © 2016, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.