Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40053050›Full record

SynthesisEinstein (Sao Paulo, Brazil)2025

Tranexamic acid in the management of traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

Thiago Gebrin, Júlia Pinho Neodini, André Felix Gentil, Eduardo Carvalhal Ribas, Mario Lenza, Arthur Werner Poetscher

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Einstein (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Thiago GebrinFaculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5145-8869
Júlia Pinho NeodiniFaculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-0203-5758
André Felix GentilFaculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5228-2033
Eduardo Carvalhal RibasFaculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3054-5661
Mario LenzaFaculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3497-2206
Arthur Werner PoetscherFaculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3262-9378

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionTraumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability. Tranexamic acid, an antifibrinolytic agent, holds the potential for managing intracranial hemorrhages secondary to traumatic brain injury. However, its efficacy and safety remain subjects of ongoing debate.

objectiveTo better clarify the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in that context and to evaluate the need for further studies.

methodsWe conducted a comprehensive search of seven electronic databases, eight study repositories, and tertiary sources between January 2021 and 2022 for randomized controlled trials involving victims of traumatic brain injury aged 15 or older who received tranexamic acid versus placebo or standard care. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and hemorrhagic complications during treatment. This review incorporated elements of PRISMA guidelines, Cochrane's Risk of Bias assessment, and GRADE to assess evidence quality. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted.

resultsOut of 6,958 references retrieved, 14 of the 17 randomized controlled trials were analyzed, encompassing a total of 15,017 patients. Analyses for all-cause mortality did not reach statistical significance (RR= 0.95, 95%CI= 0.88-1.02 | trial sequential analysis RR= 0.95, 95%CI= 0.87-1.03). However, the analysis of hemorrhagic complications during treatment showed statistical significance for progressive intracranial hemorrhage (RR= 0.82, 95%CI= 0.68-0.99 | trial sequential analysis RR= 0.82, 95%CI= 0.38-1.78). Analyses of secondary outcomes, namely unfavorable neurological outcome and other adverse effects, did not demonstrate statistical significance.

conclusionTranexamic acid use did not demonstrate efficacy based on all-cause mortality but showed a favorable safety profile. Additional clinical trials may shed light on remaining clinical uncertainties. Prospero database registration: CRD42021221949.

Indexed as

Antifibrinolytic AgentsBrain Injuries, TraumaticTranexamic AcidHumansIntracranial HemorrhagesRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeAntifibrinolytic AgentsTranexamic Acid

Identifiers

PMID40053050
PMCPMC11869795

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.