The CRASH-2 trial demonstrated that tranexamic acid reduces mortality from hemorrhage in trauma if administered within which time window from injury?
- A Within 3 hours ✓
- B Within 6 hours
- C Within 8 hours
- D Within 24 hours
Correct answer: A. Within 3 hours
Explanation
The CRASH-2 trial randomized over 20,000 trauma patients and demonstrated that tranexamic acid significantly reduced all-cause mortality and death from bleeding when administered within 3 hours of injury. Importantly, administration after 3 hours was associated with increased risk of death from bleeding — a procoagulant paradox possibly due to fibrinolysis shutdown. The drug's benefit is time-critical, and WHO subsequently added tranexamic acid to the Essential Medicines List for trauma hemorrhage within a 3-hour window.
Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.