Tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic medicine that reduces bleeding by limiting plasminogen’s binding to fibrin and slowing the breakdown of blood clots.

Fibrinolysis: The enzymatic process that dissolves fibrin clots, chiefly through the action of plasmin. Tranexamic acid reduces bleeding by slowing this clot-dissolving process.
Postpartum hemorrhage: Severe bleeding after childbirth, arising from obstetric causes such as uterine atony or retained placenta. Early tranexamic acid treatment can reduce death from bleeding in this emergency.
CRASH-2 trial: A large randomized trial of tranexamic acid in patients with significant traumatic bleeding. Its results established evidence for early treatment after trauma.
Hemostasis: The coordinated process that stops bleeding through vascular, platelet, and coagulation responses. Tranexamic acid acts on clot breakdown, one phase of hemostasis.
Vitamin K: A group of fat-soluble vitamins required for the activation of several coagulation proteins. It supports clotting-factor production rather than inhibiting fibrin breakdown.
Plasminogen: The inactive precursor of plasmin, a protease that breaks down fibrin. Tranexamic acid binds plasminogen and impedes its interaction with fibrin.
Heavy menstrual bleeding: Menstrual blood loss that is excessive enough to disrupt health or daily life. Oral tranexamic acid can reduce menstrual blood loss without hormonal treatment.
WOMAN trial: A randomized trial evaluating tranexamic acid for postpartum hemorrhage. It found reduced death from bleeding when treatment was given promptly.
Coagulation: The cascade of reactions that generates fibrin to stabilize a blood clot. It forms the fibrin structure that tranexamic acid helps preserve.
Desmopressin: A synthetic hormone analogue that raises circulating von Willebrand factor and factor VIII. It can reduce bleeding through hemostatic protein release, not antifibrinolysis.

Linked from 11 pages