A huge clinical trial is underway to test TXA acid, a drug used in trauma patients, for use in women with postpartum hemorrhage.
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), led by chief investigator Professor Ian Roberts, is currently testing the use of “tranexamic (TXA) acid for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.” TXA is a “systemic antifribiololytic agent,” meaning it acts to inhibit clot breakdown (fibriololysys), therefore encouraging clotting and decreasing blood loss in incidents of bleeding. Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of obstetric deaths and positive trial results could provide another tool for saving women's lives.
LSHTM previously conducted the CRASH-2 study which examined the use of TXA in trauma patients. CRASH-2 built on the previous use of TXA in elective surgeries to help control blood loss and reduce the need for a transfusion. As seen in final results of the study publish in The Lancet, this trial found that TXA significantly reduced general mortality as well as the morbidity due to bleeding in trauma patients. Past studies and uses of TXA additionally show no increase in thromboembolic events, one of the major concerns with drugs aimed at reducing bleeding and a side effect of particular concern for pregnant women.
The current study, known as the WOMAN Trial, is an “international randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.” This trial is in its beginning stages, but aims to have sites in many countries, as explained in the trial’s protocol. Currently, numerous hospitals worldwide are involved in various stages of the trial, with hospitals in at least nine countries including Albania, Bangladesh, Colombia and Ghana already having received ethics approval. Eventually, this trial has enormous potential to influence clinical treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, reducing both more maternal morbidity (such as hysterectomy) and maternal mortality. We will track it for you so check back.
Researched & written by Rebecca Stern, Maternova.
