Trauma - Tranexamic Acid
Date last published:
Tranexamic acid should be given within three hours to all injured children with suspected or confirmed major haemorrhage
This document is only valid for the day on which it is accessed. Please read our .
Starship clinical guidelines
Haemorrhagic shock is the most preventable cause of death in trauma.
In adult trauma patients with hemodynamic instability and ongoing bleeding, tranexamic acid has been demonstrated to reduce overall mortality when administered within three hours of injury being sustained.
Until further evidence is available from randomised controlled trials, the use of tranexamic acid in paediatric trauma is extrapolated from adult trauma research and its established use in elective paediatric cardiac and spinal surgery.
| Indications for use in trauma |
|---|
| - severe internal or non-compressible external haemorrhage - haemorrhagic shock - Massive Transfusion Pathway activation |
Tranexamic acid should be given within 3-hours of injury of being sustained.
| Tranexamic acid dose | ||
|---|---|---|
| Loading dose | 15mg/kg (max 1g) over 10 minutes* *rapid injection may cause hypotension | Dilute to 20mL of 0.9% NaCl or 5% Glucose |
| Maintenance | 2mg/kg/hr for the next 8 hours | Dilute 1000mg in 50mL of 0.9% NaCl or 5% Glucose (20mg/mL) |