Clinical trial NCT01990768
Conditions: Traumatic Brain Injury
Keywords: tranexamic acid traumatic brain injury intracranial hemorrhage prehospital neurologic outcome glasgow outcome scale extended disability rating scale
Sponsor: University of Washington
Start date: 2015-05-01; Completion date: 2017-11-07
Enrollment: 967 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
Primary aim: To determine the efficacy of two dosing regimens of TXA initiated in the prehospital setting in patients with moderate to severe TBI (GCS score ≤12).

Primary hypothesis: The null hypothesis is that random assignment to prehospital administration of TXA in patients with moderate to severe TBI will not change the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term neurologic outcome compared to random assignment to placebo, based on the GOS-E at 6 months.

Secondary aims: To determine differences between TXA and placebo in the following outcomes for patients with moderate to severe TBI treated in the prehospital setting with 2 dosing regimens of TXA:

* Clinical outcomes: ICH progression, Marshall and Rotterdam CT classification scores, DRS at discharge and 6 months, GOS-E at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical interventions, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days.
* Safety outcomes: Development of seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction, deep venous thrombosis, and pulmonary thromboembolism.
* Mechanistic outcomes: Alterations in fibrinolysis based on fibrinolytic pathway mediators and degree of clot lysis based on TEG.

Inclusion: Blunt and penetrating traumatic mechanism consistent with TBI with prehospital GCS ≤ 12 prior to administration of sedative and/or paralytic agents, prehospital SBP ≥ 90 mmHg, prehospital intravenous (IV) access, age ≥ 15yrs (or weight ≥ 50kg if age is unknown), EMS transport destination based on standard local practices determined to be a participating trauma center.

Exclusion: Prehospital GCS=3 with no reactive pupil, estimated time from injury to start of study drug bolus dose \>2 hours, unknown time of injury, clinical suspicion by EMS of seizure activity, acute MI or stroke or known history, to the extent possible, of seizures, thromboembolic disorders or renal dialysis, CPR by EMS prior to randomization, burns \> 20% TBSA, suspected or known prisoners, suspected or known pregnancy, prehospital TXA or other pro-coagulant drug given prior to randomization, subjects who have activated the "opt-out" process when required by the local regulatory board.

A multi-center double-blind randomized controlled trial with 3 treatment arms:

* Bolus/maintenance: 1 gram IV TXA bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a 1 gram IV maintenance infusion initiated on hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours.
* Bolus only: 2 grams IV TXA bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a placebo maintenance infusion initiated on hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours.
* Placebo: Placebo IV bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a placebo maintenance infusion initiated on hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours.

Detailed description:
1. Overview This multi-center, Phase II trial is designed to determine if Tranexamic Acid (TXA) initiated in the prehospital setting improves long-term neurologic outcome compared to placebo in patients with moderate to severe TBI who are not in shock. This study protocol will be conducted as part of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) at trauma centers in the United States and Canada. ROC is funded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in partnership with the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Heart \& Stroke Foundation of Canada, the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Defense Research and Development Canada. ROC is a clinical trials network focusing on research primarily in the area of prehospital cardiopulmonary arrest and severe traumatic injury. The mission of ROC is to provide infrastructure and project support for clinical trials and other outcome-oriented research in the areas of cardiopulmonary arrest and severe traumatic injury that lead to evidence-based change in clinical practice.
2. Specific Aims/Hypothesis Statement

   2.1 Clinical Hypotheses and Aims

   Specific aim 1: To compare 6-month neurologic outcome between subjects who are randomly assigned to TXA to subjects who are randomly assigned to placebo by evaluating the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended score (GOS-E) at 6 months post-injury.

   Primary Hypotheses: We will perform a one-sided test of the following null hypothesis: The proportion of subjects who have a favorable neurologic outcome (GOS-E \> 4) at six months post injury who are randomly assigned to TXA is not different from the proportion of subjects who have a favorable neurologic outcome (GOS-E \> 4) who are randomly assigned to placebo. This hypothesis will be tested versus the alternative that the proportion of subjects with a favorable neurologic outcome who are randomly assigned to TXA is higher than in subjects who are randomly assigned to placebo at the .1 level and versus the alternative that the proportion of subjects with a favorable neurologic outcome who are randomly assigned to TXA is lower than it is in the placebo group at the .025 level

   Specific aim 2: To assess differences in morbidity and mortality measured from randomization through 28 days or initial hospital discharge and differences in neurologic outcomes at 6 months between subjects in the bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and placebo arm.

   Secondary Hypotheses: The null hypotheses are that there will be no difference between subjects who are randomly assigned to TXA and subjects who are randomly assigned to placebo in the following: both absolute and relative volume of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) progression, proportion of subjects with ICH progression, frequency of neurosurgical interventions, GOS-E measured at discharge and 6 months, Disability Rating Scale score (DRS) measured at discharge and 6 months, 28-day survival, and ventilator-free, intensive care unit (ICU)-free, and hospital-free days.

   Specific aim 3: To assess differences in adverse events measured from randomization to initial hospital discharge between subjects in the bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and placebo arm.

   Tertiary Hypotheses: The null hypotheses are that there will be no difference between subjects who are randomly assigned to TXA and subjects who are randomly assigned to placebo in the following: proportion of subjects experiencing seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction (MI), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) post randomization through 28 days or discharge, whichever occurs first.

   2.2 Laboratory Hypotheses and Aims

   Specific aim 1: To compare coagulation profiles over time using kaolin activated thrombelastography (TEG) results between subjects who are randomly assigned to TXA and subjects who are randomly assigned to placebo.

   Primary hypothesis: The null hypothesis is that there will be no difference in the degree of fibrinolysis as assessed by percentage of clot lysis determined 30 minutes after the maximum amplitude is reached (LY30) between subjects who are randomly assigned to TXA and subjects who are randomly assigned to placebo.

   Specific aim 2: To explore the underlying mechanism of TXA by comparing fibrinolytic pathway mediator activity between subjects who are randomly assigned to TXA and subjects who are randomly assigned to placebo.

   Secondary hypothesis: The null hypothesis is that there will be no change in fibrinolytic pathway mediators between subjects who are randomly assigned to TXA and subjects who are randomly assigned to placebo.

   Specific aim 3: To estimate the association between the degree of fibrinolysis based on kaolin activated TEG results and fibrinolytic pathway mediators on primary and secondary clinical outcomes.

   Tertiary hypothesis: The null hypothesis is that no association will exist between the degree of fibrinolysis and fibrinolytic pathway mediators and primary and secondary clinical outcomes.
3. Study Enrollment

   EMS agencies will carry blinded sealed study drug kits. Once the seal is broken in the presence of the patient, the patient is randomized. The EMS study drug kit will contain a vial of either 1 gram TXA, 2 grams TXA, or placebo. EMS will mix the study drug in a 250 mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride and administer the bolus infusion as soon as life-saving interventions are performed. After randomization, EMS will provide the study drug kit ID# to the receiving pharmacy. The hospital pharmacist will obtain the randomization assignment from the coordinating center and prepare the appropriate drug to be administered in the hospital.
4. Sample Size and Statistical Analysis

   The total sample size is 963 (321 per group) starting treatment, which will allow for 80% power to detect a 7.1% absolute difference in favorable long-term neurological outcome as determined by the GOS-E 6 months after injury comparing the combined TXA treatment groups to placebo, using a one-sided, level 0.1 test.

   Statistical analysis of primary hypothesis: Modified intention-to-treat analysis using logistic regression to test for association and estimate the strength of the association of treatment group with a favorable 6-month outcome (defined as a GOS-E \> 4), after adjustment for study site.
5. Human subjects protection

This study qualifies for the exception from informed consent (EFIC) required for emergency research outlined in FDA regulation 21CFR50.24. EFIC applies because of life-threatening situation, intervention must be administered before consent is feasible, no reasonable way to identify prospectively individuals at risk, patients have the prospect of benefit from the treatment, and the research could not practically be carried out without the waiver of consent.

Arms: arm 1: Loading dose of 1 gram TXA given prior to hospital arrival followed by a 1 gram TXA infusion over 8 hours after hospital arrival arm 2: Loading dose of 2 gram TXA given prior to hospital arrival followed by a placebo of 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution infusion over 8 hours after hospital arrival arm 3: Loading dose of 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution given prior to hospital arrival followed by a placebo of 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution infusion over 8 hours after hospital arrival
Interventions: intervention 1: 1 gram Tranexamic Acid (TXA) intervention 2: 2 grams TXA intervention 3: 0.9% Sodium Chloride injectable
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: TXA produces an antifibrinolytic effect by competitively inhibiting the activation of plasminogen to plasmin. intervention 2: TXA produces an antifibrinolytic effect by competitively inhibiting the activation of plasminogen to plasmin. intervention 3: Loading dose of 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution given prior to hospital arrival followed by a placebo of 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution infusion over 8 hours after hospital arrival. No active drug is added to the solution.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_ICF_002.pdf: 
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Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for  
Traumatic Brain Injury  
 
2013-9-13 Proposal for PRC 
2013-9-23 Proposal for FDA IND – Revised Appendix 2 
2013-10-24 FDA IND 119858 Approved 
2013-11-4 Revised Protocol for FDA IND 119858 
2014-1-6 PRC Approved 
2014-2-3 First Revised Protocol for DSMB 
2014-3-4 Second Revised Protocol for DSMB 
2014-3-14 DSMB Approved 
2014-5-23 DSMB Approved: Amendment 1- Revised Protocol and Ancillary Study 
2014-9-9 Amendment 1.1  
2015-4-3 Amendment 1.2  
2015-07-29 DSMB Approved Amendment 2 
2016-08-2 DSMB Approved Amendment 2.1 
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01990768 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents 
TXA Acronyms ....................................................................................................................................... 5 
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................... 11 
1.  Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 13 
2.  Specific Aims/Hypothesis Statement .............................................................................................. 13 
2.1 Clinical Hypotheses and Aims .................................................................................................... 13 
2.2 Laboratory Hypotheses and Aims .............................................................................................. 14 
3. Background ............................................................................................................................... 14 
3.1 Traumatic Brain Injury ................................................................................................................ 14 
3.1.1 Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury ................................................................................. 14 
3.1.2 Secondary traumatic brain injury – coagulation and progression of intracranial hemorrhage
 ...................................................................................................................................................... 15 
3.1.3 Secondary traumatic brain injury – inflammation and development of cerebral edema ...... 15 
3.2 Overview of Hemostasis ............................................................................................................. 16 
3.3 TXA ............................................................................................................................................. 16 
3.3.1 FDA indications for TXA ....................................................................................................... 16 
3.3.2 Previous use of TXA ............................................................................................................ 16 
3.3.3 Military and civilian experience with TXA and trauma .......................................................... 17 
3.3.4 CRASH-3 trial ...................................................................................................................... 18 
3.3.5 Potential mechanisms of TXA .............................................................................................. 19 
3.3.6 Limitations of existing evidence: .......................................................................................... 19 
4. Trial Design ...................................................................................................................................... 20 
4.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................ 20 
4.1.1 Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium ................................................................................... 20 
4.1.2 ROC site selection ............................................................................................................... 20 
4.2 Methods and Techniques ........................................................................................................... 21 
4.2.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 21 


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4.3 Inclusion Criteria ......................................................................................................................... 21 
4.4 Exclusion Criteria ........................................................................................................................ 21 
5. Intervention ...................................................................................................................................... 22 
5.1 Screening Procedures ................................................................................................................ 22 
5.2 Study Procedures ....................................................................................................................... 22 
5.2.1 Randomization ..................................................................................................................... 22 
5.2.2 Prehospital intervention ....................................................................................................... 22 
5.2.3 In-hospital intervention ......................................................................................................... 23 
5.2.4 Treatment arms .................................................................................................................... 23 
5.2.5 Drug manufacture and supply .............................................................................................. 24 
5.2.6 Blinding ................................................................................................................................ 24 
5.2.7 Justification for dose selection ............................................................................................. 24 
5.3 Baseline Assessment ................................................................................................................. 25 
5.4 Clinical Data Collection ............................................................................................................... 25 
5.5 Research Laboratory Data Collection ......................................................................................... 26 
5.6 Image Collection and Processing ............................................................................................... 26 
5.7 Concurrent Care ......................................................................................................................... 27 
    5.8 Early Termination of Study Drug……………………………………………………………………...27 
6. Study Outcome Measures ................................................................................................................ 27 
6.1 Primary Outcome Measure: 6 Month Neurologic Outcome ........................................................ 27 
6.2 Secondary Outcome Measures .................................................................................................. 28 
7.  Sample Size for the Primary Outcome ............................................................................................ 29 
8.  Analysis Plan ................................................................................................................................... 30 
8.1 Primary Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 30 
8.2 Pre-Specified Secondary Subgroup Analyses ............................................................................ 30 
8.3 Mechanistic Outcomes ............................................................................................................... 31 
8.4 Plan for Missing Data ................................................................................................................. 31 
8.5 Sequential Monitoring Plan ......................................................................................................... 31 
8.6 Adverse and Serious Adverse Events ........................................................................................ 32 
8.7 Other Adverse Events ................................................................................................................ 33 
8.8 Roles and Responsibilities of the Medical Monitor ..................................................................... 34 
8.9 Data Entry ................................................................................................................................... 34 
8.10 Database Management ............................................................................................................ 34 
9.  Human Subjects Research ............................................................................................................. 35 
9.1 Potential risks ............................................................................................................................. 35 
9.2 Potential Benefits to Placebo Arm .............................................................................................. 35 


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9.3 Protection Against Risks ............................................................................................................. 35 
9.3.1 Protection of Human Subjects and Consent ........................................................................ 35 
9.3.2 Vulnerable populations ........................................................................................................ 37 
9.4 Proposal Timeline ....................................................................................................................... 37 
9.5 Public Purpose ........................................................................................................................... 38 
9.6 Military Significance .................................................................................................................... 38 
10. References ..................................................................................................................................... 39 
11.  Appendix 1 – Exception from Consent for Emergency Research…………………………………..45 
12.  Appendix 2 – Suggested Templates for Consent and Notification Forms………………………….51 
13.  Appendix 3 – Amendment 1: Ancillary IRB Protocol and Consent………………………………….65 
14. Appendix 4 – GOS, GOSE, DRS, Neurological Assessment, and TXA Monograph………………82!
 
 
 


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TXA 
Acronyms 
AA 
Arachidonic Acid 
ABC 
Assessment of Blood Consumption 
ABC/2 
ICH hematoma volume was measured on the initial head CT scan with the 
use of the ABC/2 method, in which A is the greatest diameter on the 
largest hemorrhage slice, B is the diameter perpendicular to A, and C is 
the approximate number of axial slices with hemorrhage multiplied by the 
slice thickness. 
ACT 
Activated clotting time 
ADP 
Adenosine diphosphate 
AE 
Adverse Event 
AHA  
American Heart Association 
AIS 
abbreviated injury score 
AKI 
Acute Kidney Injury 
Alb 
Albumin 
ALI 
Acute Lung Injury 
ARDS 
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome 
AT III 
Antithrombin 
ATC 
Acute Traumatic Coagulopathy 
ATLS 
Advanced Trauma Life Support 
ATV 
All Terrain Vehicle 
AUC 
Area Under the Curve 
Auto 
Autologous blood 
BAT 
Basophil Activation Test 
BD 
Base Deficit 
bHCG 
beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin 
BUN 
Blood Urea Nitrogen 
C 
Celsius 
CaCl2 
Calcium Chloride 
CAT 
Calibrated Automatic 
CBC 
Complete Blood Count 
CCC 
clinical coordinating center 
CeTIR 
Center for Translational Injury Research 
CFR 
Code of Federal Regulations 
CI 
confidence interval 
CIHR  
Canadian Institutes of Health Research 
CO2 
Carbon Dioxide 
CPR 
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation 
CRASH-2 
The Clinical Randomization of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant 
Hemorrhage 
CRASH-3 
Clinical Randomisation of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant Head Injury 


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CRIC 
Cricothyrotomy 
Cryo 
Cryoprecipitate 
CSF 
Cerebral Spinal Fluid 
CSV 
Comma, separated values 
CT 
Computed Tomography 
CTC 
University of Washington Clinical Trial Center 
CVP 
Central Venous Pressure 
DBP 
Diastolic Blood Pressure 
DCC 
Data Coordinating Center (ROC) 
DCR 
Damage Control Resuscitation 
DDE  
Distributed data entry 
DICOM 
Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine 
DNA 
Deoxyribonucleic Acid 
DNR 
Do Not Resuscitate 
DO 
Direct Observation 
DoD 
Department of Defense 
DPL 
Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage 
DRS 
Disability Rating Scale 
DSMB 
Data Safety Monitoring Board 
DVT 
deep venous thrombosis 
EAC 
Endogenous Acute Coagulopathy 
EACA 
Epsilon-aminocaproic acid 
EC 
Executive Committee 
ED 
Emergency Department 
EDTA 
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 
EFIC 
Exception From Informed Consent 
ELISA 
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 
EM 
Emergency Medicine 
EMS 
Emergency Medical Services 
ETP 
Endogenous thrombin potential 
F 
Fahrenheit 
FAST 
Focused Assessment for the Sonography of Trauma 
FDA 
Food and Drug Administration 
FFP 
Fresh Frozen Plasma 
FTP 
File Transfer Protocol 
FWA 
Federal Wide assurance 
GCP 
Good Clinical Practice 
GCS 
Glasgow Coma Scale 
GMP 
Good Manufacturing Practices 
GOS 
Glasgow Outcome Score 
GOS-E 
Glasgow Outcomes Score Extended 


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GSW 
Gun Shot Wound 
h 
hour 
HCCC 
UTHealth Clinical Coordinating Center 
HCG 
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin 
Hct 
Hematocrit 
HD 
Hemodialysis 
HDCC 
UTHealth Data Coordinating Center 
Hes 
Hespan 
Hex 
Hexpan 
Hgb 
Hemoglobin 
HIPAA 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
HR 
Heart Rate 
HS 
Hemorrhagic Shock 
HS 
Hypertonic saline 
Ht 
Hypertonic 
HTML 
Hypertext Markup Language 
HUI 
Health Utilities Index 
ICH 
Intracranial Hemorrhage 
ICP 
Intracranial pressure 
ICRH  
Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health 
ICU 
Intensive Care Unit 
ID 
Identification 
IDE 
Investigational device exemption 
IND 
investigational new drug 
INR 
International Normalized Ratio 
IO 
intraosseous 
IR 
Interventional Radiology 
IRB 
Institutional Review Board 
IRB 
Internal Review Board 
ISS 
Injury Severity Score 
i-Stat 
i-STAT Point-of-care Testing 
IT 
Information Technology 
IVH 
Intraventricular Hemorrhage 
IV 
Intravenous 
JTTS 
Joint Theatre Trauma System 
kg 
kilograms 
LAR 
Legal Authorized Representative 
LED 
Light Emitting Diode 
LR 
Lactated Ringer's 
LSI 
Life Saving Intervention 
LTI 
Life-threatening Traumatic Injury 


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LY30 
Clot Lysis time at 30 minutes 
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mA 
maximum Amplitude 
MATTERS 
Military Application of Tranexamic Acid in Trauma Emergency 
Resuscitation Study 
MC 
Management Committee 
MCC 
Motorcycle Crash 
mg 
milligrams 
MI 
Myocardial Infarction 
min 
minutes 
mL 
milliliters 
mmHg 
millimeters of mercury 
MOF 
Multiple Organ Failure 
MP 
microparticle 
MR 
Medical Record 
MRI 
Magnetic Resonance Imaging 
MRS 
Modified Rankin Score 
MT 
Massive Transfusion 
MVC 
Motor Vehicle Collision 
NEMSIS 
National EMS Information System 
NHLBI 
National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute 
NIH 
National Institute of Health 
NINDS 
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 
NIRS 
Near Infrared Spectroscopy 
NS 
Normal Saline 
O2 
Oxygen 
OCCC 
Oregon Health Sciences University Clinical Coordinating Center 
OCTRI 
Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute 
ODBC 
Open Database Connectivity 
OHRP 
Office for Human Research Protections 
OHSU 
Oregon Health Sciences University 
OOH-CA 
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest 
OPRR 
Office for Protection from Research Risks 
OR 
Operating Room 
PAP 
Plasmin-Alpha-2-Antiplasmin 
PAR 
Protease-activated receptors 
PCC 
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate 
PCR 
Patient Care Record 
PDF 
Portable Document Format 
PE 
Pulmonary Embolism 
PEST 
Political, Economic, Social, and Technological Factors 
PROPHET 
Prospective Observational Prehospital and Hospital Registry for Trauma 


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PI 
Principal Investigator 
Pl 
Plasmalyte 
PLT 
Platelets 
PMSF 
phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride 
PRBC 
packed red blood cells 
PRC 
ROC Protocol Review Committee 
PROPHET 
Prospective Observational Prehospital and Hospital Registry for Trauma 
PROPPR 
Pragmatic Randomized Optimal Plasma and Platelet Ratios 
ProTECT 
Randomized Clinical Trial of Progesterone for Acute Traumatic Brain 
Injury 
PT 
prothrombin time 
PTT 
partial thromboplastin time 
QL 
Quality of life 
RBC 
Red Blood Cell 
RCC 
Regional Clinical Center 
RCT 
Randomized clinical trial 
R&D 
Research and Development 
REB 
Research Ethics Board (Canadian) 
rFVIIa 
Recombinant Factor VIIa 
ROC 
Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium 
RR 
relative risk 
RT PCR 
reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction 
SAE 
Serious Adverse Event 
SAH 
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage 
SAS 
Statistical Analysis System Software 
SBP 
Systolic Blood Pressure 
SC 
Steering Committee 
SCM 
Steering Committee Meeting 
sEPCR 
soluable endothelial protein C receptor 
SI 
Surgical Intervention 
SIR 
Scientific Information Retrieval 
SMC 
Study Monitoring Committee 
SPH 
School of Public Health 
SpO2 
Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen 
SPSS 
Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software 
SQL 
Structured Query Language 
SS 
Special situations 
SSH  
Secure Shell 
SSL 
Secure Sockets Layer 
sTM 
soluble Thrombomodulin 
StO2 
Tissue Oxygenation 


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SUSAR 
suspected unanticipated serious adverse reaction 
TAFI 
Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor 
TBI 
Traumatic Brain Injury 
TBSA 
Total Body Surface Area 
TCCC 
Tactical Combat Casualty Care 
TEG 
Thrombelastograph 
TF 
transfusion 
TFPI 
Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 
TG 
thrombin generation 
TIC 
Trauma Induced Coagulopathy 
TP 
Thawed Plasma 
tPA 
Tissue Plasminogen Activator 
TRALI 
Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury 
TRAP 
Thrombin Receptor Activation Peptide 
TRIO 
Trauma Research Institute of Oregon 
TXA 
Tranexamic Acid 
U 
units 
UCSD 
University of California-San Diego 
UCSF 
University of California-San Francisco 
ug 
microgram 
UK 
United Kingdom 
US 
United States 
USAMRMC United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command 
UT 
Houston 
University of Texas Health Sciences Center Houston 
UTHealth 
University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston 
UW 
University of Washington  
UW-IT 
University of Washington Information Technology 
VAP 
Ventilator assisted pneumonia 
WBA 
Whole Blood Aggregometry 
 
 
 


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SUMMARY  
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid (TXA) Use for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 
Primary aim: To determine the efficacy of two dosing regimens of TXA initiated in the prehospital setting in 
patients with moderate to severe TBI (GCS score ≤12).  
 
Primary hypothesis: The null hypothesis is that random assignment to prehospital administration of TXA in 
patients with moderate to severe TBI will not change the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term 
neurologic outcome compared to random assignment to placebo, based on the GOS-E at 6 months.   
 
Secondary aims: To determine differences between random assignment to TXA and placebo in the following 
outcomes for patients with moderate to severe TBI treated in the prehospital setting with 2 dosing regimens of 
TXA: 
 
• 
Clinical outcomes: ICH progression, Marshall and Rotterdam CT classification scores, DRS at 
discharge and 6 months, GOS-E at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days.  
• 
Safety outcomes:  Development of seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction, deep 
venous thrombosis, and pulmonary thromboembolism. 
• 
Mechanistic outcomes: Alterations in fibrinolysis based on fibrinolytic pathway mediators and degree of 
clot lysis based on TEG. 
 
Inclusion criteria: Blunt and penetrating traumatic mechanism consistent with TBI with prehospital GCS ≤ 12 
prior to administration of sedative and/or paralytic agents, prehospital SBP ≥ 90 mmHg, prehospital 
intravenous (IV) access, age ≥ 15yrs (or weight ≥ 50kg if age is unknown), EMS transport destination based on 
standard local practices determined to be a participating trauma center. 
 
Exclusion criteria: Prehospital GCS=3 with no reactive pupil, estimated time from injury to start of study drug 
bolus dose >2 hours, unknown time of injury, clinical suspicion by EMS of seizure activity, acute MI or stroke or 
known history, to the extent possible, of seizures, thromboembolic disorders or renal dialysis, CPR by EMS 
prior to randomization, burns > 20% TBSA, suspected or known prisoners, suspected or known pregnancy, 
prehospital TXA or other pro-coagulant drug given prior to randomization, subjects who have activated the 
“opt-out” process when required by the local regulatory board. 
 
Study design and infusion period: A multi-center double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial with three 
treatment arms: 
 
• 
Bolus/maintenance arm: 1 gram IV TXA bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a 1 gram IV 
maintenance infusion initiated upon hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours. 
• 
Bolus only arm: 2 grams IV TXA bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a placebo maintenance 
infusion initiated upon hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours. 
• 
Placebo arm: Placebo IV bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a placebo maintenance infusion 
initiated upon hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours. 
 
EMS agencies will carry blinded sealed study drug kits. Once the seal is broken in the presence of the patient, 
the patient is randomized. The EMS study drug kit will contain a vial of either 1 gram TXA, 2 grams TXA, or 
placebo. EMS will mix the study drug in a 250 mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride and administer the bolus 
infusion as soon as life-saving interventions are performed. After randomization, EMS will provide the study 
drug kit ID# to research personnel upon arrival in the emergency department (ED). The research personnel will 
contact the study coordinating center and, using the kit ID#, obtain the unique code ID for the blinded study 
drug vial that matches the randomization assignment for the appropriate drug to be administered in the 
hospital.  
 


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Sample size: The total sample size in the primary analysis population is 963 (321 per group), which will allow 
for 80% power to detect a 7.1% absolute increase in the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term 
neurological outcome as determined by the GOS-E 6 months after injury comparing patients who receive TXA 
to patients who receive placebo, using a one-sided, level 0.1 test.  It will allow for 80% power to detect an 
absolute decrease of 9.5% in the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term neurologic outcome 
comparing patients who receive TXA to patients who receive placebo, using a one-sided, level 0.025 test. 
 
Statistical analysis of primary hypothesis: Modified intention-to-treat analysis using logistic regression to 
test for association and estimate the strength of the association of treatment group with a favorable 6-month 
outcome (defined as a GOS-E > 4), after adjustment for study site. 
 
Human subjects protection: This study qualifies for the exception from informed consent (EFIC) required for 
emergency research outlined in FDA regulation 21CFR50.24. EFIC applies because of life-threatening 
situation, intervention must be administered before consent is feasible, no reasonable way to identify 
prospectively individuals at risk, patients have the prospect of benefit from the treatment, and the research 
could not practically be carried out without the waiver of consent. 
 
 


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1.  Overview 
This multi-center, Phase II trial is designed to determine if Tranexamic Acid (TXA) initiated in the prehospital 
setting improves long-term neurologic outcome compared to placebo in patients with moderate to severe TBI 
who are not in shock.  This study protocol will be conducted as part of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium 
(ROC) at trauma centers in the United States and Canada. ROC is funded by the National Heart Lung and 
Blood Institute (NHLBI) in partnership with the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command 
(USAMRMC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, the 
American Heart Association (AHA), and the Defense Research and Development Canada. ROC is a clinical 
trials network focusing on research primarily in the area of prehospital cardiopulmonary arrest and severe 
traumatic injury. The mission of ROC is to provide infrastructure and project support for clinical trials and other 
outcome-oriented research in the areas of cardiopulmonary arrest and severe traumatic injury that lead to 
evidence-based change in clinical practice.  
2.  Specific Aims/Hypothesis Statement 
2.1 Clinical Hypotheses and Aims 
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Specific aim 1: To compare 6-month neurologic outcome between patients who are randomly assigned to 
TXA to patients who are randomly assigned to placebo by evaluating the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended 
score (GOS-E) at 6 months post-injury. 
 
Primary Hypothesis: We will perform a one-sided test of the following null hypothesis: 
 
• 
The proportion of patients who have a favorable neurologic outcome (GOS-E > 4) at six months post 
injury who are randomly assigned to TXA is not different from the proportion of patients who have a 
favorable neurologic outcome (GOS-E > 4) who are randomly assigned to placebo. This hypothesis will 
be tested versus the alternative that  the proportion of patients with a favorable neurologic outcome 
who are randomly assigned to TXA is higher than in patients who are randomly assigned to placebo at 
the .1 level and versus the alternative that the proportion of patients with a favorable neurologic 
outcome who are randomly assigned to TXA is lower than it is in the placebo group at the .025 level  
 
 
Specific aim 2: To assess differences in morbidity and mortality measured from randomization through 28 
days or initial hospital discharge between subjects in the bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and placebo 
arm.  
Secondary Hypotheses:  The null hypotheses are that there will be no difference between patients 
who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly assigned to placebo in the 
following: absolute and relative volume of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) progression, proportion with 
ICH progression, Marshall and Rotterdam CT classification scores, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, GOS-E measured at discharge, Disability Rating Scale score (DRS) measured at 
discharge and 6 months, 28-day survival, and ventilator-free, intensive care unit (ICU)-free, and 
hospital-free days.  
 
Specific aim 3: To assess differences in adverse events measured from randomization to initial hospital 
discharge between subjects in the bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and placebo arm. 
 
Tertiary Hypotheses: The null hypotheses are that there will be no difference between patients who 
are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly assigned to placebo in the following: proportion 
of patients experiencing seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction (MI), deep venous 
thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) post randomization through 28 days or discharge, 
whichever occurs first.  


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2.2 Laboratory Hypotheses and Aims 
!
Specific aim 1: To compare coagulation profiles over time using kaolin activated thrombelastography (TEG) 
results between patients who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly assigned to 
placebo. 
 
Primary hypothesis:  The null hypothesis is that there will be no difference in the degree of fibrinolysis 
as assessed by percentage of clot lysis determined 30 minutes after the maximum amplitude is 
reached (LY30) between patients who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly 
assigned to placebo. 
  
Specific aim 2: To explore the underlying mechanism of TXA by comparing fibrinolytic pathway mediator 
activity between patients who receive TXA and patients who receive placebo.  
 
Secondary hypothesis:  The null hypothesis is that there will be no change in fibrinolytic pathway 
mediators between patients who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly 
assigned placebo. 
 
Specific aim 3: To estimate the association between the degree of fibrinolysis based on kaolin activated TEG 
results and fibrinolytic pathway mediators on primary and secondary clinical outcomes. 
 
Tertiary hypothesis:  The null hypothesis is that no association will exist between the degree of 
fibrinolysis based on TEG and fibrinolytic pathway mediators (listed in specific aim 2) and primary and 
secondary clinical outcomes.  
 
3. Background 
3.1 Traumatic Brain Injury 
3.1.1 Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury 
TBI is the leading cause of death and disability due to trauma and is the number one cause of death in people 
younger than 40 years old.1   Every year, more than 1.6 million people sustain a TBI resulting in 80,000 
permanent severe neurological disabilities and 52,000 deaths.2,3,4 TBI is responsible for the greatest number of 
potential years of life lost from any cause and the highest burden on quality adjusted life years lost in 
survivors.5  Current evidence and clinical guidelines emphasize the importance of early and effective 
hemodynamic resuscitation following TBI and stress the deleterious effects of hemorrhagic shock complicating 
TBI.6 Mortality in patients with severe TBI is greater than 25%7 yet one third of patients still survive with 
minimal to moderate neurologic deficits. Given this wide variability in neurological recovery, an effective 
treatment for TBI has the potential to significantly impact neurologic outcomes.  
 
TBI has been labeled as the signature wound of the Iraq/Afghan conflict. The number of military personnel that 
have suffered blunt TBI has risen dramatically due to an increase in concussive weapons and a decrease in 
penetrating injury as a result of improved armor. Approximately 20% of combat personnel have suffered a TBI 
while in theater,8 and this estimate is likely conservative as there is limited in-field screening. Despite the 
significant impact that TBI has on both the military and civilian populations, there remains no effective 
pharmacological agent that has been shown to improve outcome for TBI. 8,9,10,11 A review of five treatments 
(hyperventilation, mannitol, cerebral spinal fluid drainage, barbiturates, corticosteroids) for TBI found that when 
studies were properly controlled, none of these treatments were shown to be effective for reducing morbidity 
and mortality.12 No new pharmacological therapy has been implemented for routine use in acute TBI in over 30 
years.12 
 


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3.1.2 Secondary traumatic brain injury – coagulation and progression of intracranial 
hemorrhage 
In patients with TBI, the extent of the brain damage is determined by the severity of the primary mechanical 
injury as well as the degree of secondary brain injury. Thus, the management of TBI focuses on limiting 
secondary brain injury. Coagulopathy has been recognized as a major factor contributing to secondary brain 
injury and worse outcome after TBI.13 The mechanism for coagulopathy after TBI has been studied extensively 
but remains unclear. Patients with TBI are at risk for developing abnormalities of both coagulation and 
fibrinolysis.14 There is evidence that the extent of injured brain tissue correlates with the degree of 
coagulopathy.15 In 1974 Goodnight et al. hypothesized that tissue thromboplastin released from damaged 
brain, also known as tissue factor, enters the circulation, activates the extrinsic coagulation pathway, and 
produces fibrin clot.16,17 Tissue factor is considered the primary initiator of coagulation and its release can 
activate the coagulation system excessively in patients with head trauma.18 Additional proposed mechanisms 
involve abnormalities in the fibrinolytic system as well as depletion of platelets and clotting factors following 
blood loss or consumption from disseminated intravascular coagulation.19 A more recent hypothesis suggests 
that TBI alone does not cause early coagulopathy but must be coupled with hypoperfusion to lead to 
coagulation derangements associated with the activation of the protein C pathway.20  
 
Overall, up to 50% of patients with TBI develop progression of ICH as evidenced by a new or progressive 
lesion on repeat head computed tomography (CT) scan.21 Eighty-five percent of patients with at least one 
abnormal routine coagulation test will develop progression of ICH, yet even in patients with normal coagulation 
assays, 1/3 of patients will still develop progression.21 The correlation between routinely collected coagulation 
tests and progression of ICH remains controversial. Stein et al. demonstrated that an abnormal International 
Normalized Ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and platelet count independently 
correlated with progression of injury.21 Oertel et al. showed only the aPTT correlated with injury progression22 
while Schnuriger et al. showed that decreased platelet counts (though still within the normal range) were 
associated with increased ICH progression.23 While the relative impact of individual clotting abnormalities on 
progression of ICH continues to be the subject of debate, it is clear that patients with demonstrated 
coagulopathy after TBI have a significantly increased rate of ICH progression compared to those without 
coagulopathy.24 Since progression of ICH is independently associated with increased need for surgical 
intervention, decreased long-term neurologic outcome, and a 5-fold increase in mortality,21 an early intervention 
that could decrease the development of progressive ICH could theoretically have a major impact on patient 
outcome. 
 
3.1.3 Secondary traumatic brain injury – inflammation and development of cerebral edema 
The development of cerebral edema is another important type of secondary brain injury. It is clear that the 
formation of cerebral edema is a major factor leading to the high morbidity and mortality in patients with TBI.25  
No new treatments have been developed in recent years that are effective at reducing cerebral edema, in part 
because the mechanism is only recently becoming better understood. Cerebral edema occurs by the addition 
of water from the vasculature (vasogenic edema), whereas cytotoxic edema results from a shift of water from 
the extracellular to the intracellular compartment. Thus, the primary focus of research involving cerebral edema 
is directed toward attenuating the permeability of the blood brain barrier. It is well established that systemic 
inflammation is common after major trauma and TBI. It is becoming increasingly recognized that multiple 
classes of inflammatory mediators can lead to increased permeability of the blood brain barrier and the 
development of cerebral edema.26 In a frontal cortex contusion model, a marked inflammatory reaction was 
observed after injury in both the injured region and surrounding areas of the brain.27 This model also 
demonstrated an invasion of macrophages and neutrophils into the area of impact with increased inflammatory 
cytokine generation.27 With the aid of novel magnetic resonance imaging techniques, vasogenic edema has 
been shown to occur within a few hours after injury. 28 Thus, the development of a neuroprotective agent that 
could be given very early after injury, before edema develops, could have a major impact on morbidity and 
mortality in patients with TBI. 
 


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3.2 Overview of Hemostasis 
Hemostasis requires a balance between the coagulation cascade responsible for producing fibrin clot and the 
fibrinolytic system that dissolves fibrin clot. At sites of tissue injury, activation of the coagulation cascade 
results in thrombin formation, which cleaves fibrinogen to fibrin monomers. These monomers polymerize to 
form fibrin that seals the damaged vessel wall. This deposition of fibrin then activates the fibrinolytic system to 
help maintain the patency of the vessel lumen. Fibrinolysis occurs when plasminogen, which is trapped within 
the clot, binds to lysine residues on the surface of the fibrin. When a plasminogen activator is present (like 
tissue plasminogen activator [tPA]), plasminogen is converted to plasmin, which then degrades fibrin into 
fragments that are further broken down and removed from circulation. Fibrinolysis is regulated by plasminogen 
activators (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitors (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1]), and plasmin 
inhibitors (α-2 antiplasmin), and is affected by the rapid hepatic clearance of these molecules. Excessive 
breakdown of fibrin (hyperfibrinolysis) results in excessive bleeding and has been associated with a wide 
variety of conditions ranging from perioperative blood loss to subarachnoid hemorrhage.29 Hyperfibrinolysis 
has been associated with significantly increased mortality after major trauma.30 Antifibrinolytics such as TXA 
and aminocaproic acid can inhibit hyperfibrinolysis by interfering with plasmin production, thus stabilizing the 
fibrin clot. 
  
3.3 TXA 
3.3.1 FDA indications for TXA 
In January 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the injection formulation of TXA (NDA 
019281, branded Cyklokapron) in patients with hemophilia for short-term use (two to eight days) to reduce or 
prevent hemorrhage and reduce the need for replacement therapy during and following tooth extraction, with a 
revised label warning to include convulsions (and no change to the indications). The FDA has approved TXA 
injection as a therapeutically equivalent generic drug that is available from X Gen Pharmaceuticals Inc (NDC 
39822-1000-1). Because of the planned off-label use of the drug as a bolus dose and 8-hour maintenance 
infusion for TBI in a prehospital federally funded trial using exception from informed consent for emergency 
research, the drug will require Investigational New Drug exemption in accordance with federal regulations.  
 
 
3.3.2 Previous use of TXA 
Clinical use of TXA was first described in 1966.31 TXA is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine that 
acts by competitively inhibiting plasminogen activation and at higher concentrations, noncompetitively inhibiting 
plasmin.32 TXA binding blocks the interaction of plasminogen with fibrin preventing breakdown of fibrin clot. 
Thus, rather than promoting new clot formation, it prevents clot breakdown. While plasminogen may still be 
converted to plasmin in the presence of a plasminogen activator, after binding TXA, plasmin can no longer bind 
fibrin.32 TXA also blocks the binding of α-2 antiplasmin to plasmin and thus prevents its inactivation of 
plasmin.32 The use of TXA to control bleeding has been described in a number of clinical settings including, 
pediatric urinary tract surgery,33 ruptured intracranial aneurysms,34 oral surgery,35 gynecologic surgery,36 
treatment of hereditary angioneurotic edema,37 upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage,38 traumatic hyphema,39 
hemophilia,40 von Willebrand disease, and refractory thrombocytopenia.41 More recently, TXA has been 
adopted to treat hyperfibrinolysis associated with cardiopulmonary bypass and liver transplantation and has 
been shown to decrease both blood loss and need for transfusion.42 
 
The use of TXA in patients with neurological disease including subarachnoid hemorrhage dates back to the 
1980’s.43 Intracranial aneurysm rupture results in bleeding into the subarachnoid space and subsequent brain 
damage due to destruction of brain parenchyma, increased intracranial pressure, mid-line shift and ultimate 
herniation. Of patients that survive, 20% develop re-bleeding with delayed ischemic deficits.44,45 In a 
randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in 478 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid 
hemorrhage, a significant reduction in the rate of re-bleeding was demonstrated (9% TXA versus 24% 
placebo), however overall outcome was not improved due to an increase in the incidence of cerebral 


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ischemia.43 Due to the lack of effect on mortality, the use of TXA was not recommended in this population.46 
However, in a later study using lower doses of TXA in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, 
TXA was again observed to decrease acute re-bleeding, with no increase in ischemic complications.47 One 
important difference in studies that have demonstrated increased cerebral ischemic events is the use of 
prolonged dosing regimens (3-4 times per day for 2-8 days), similar to its use in hemophilia. The more recent 
large studies that demonstrate no increase in cerebral ischemia have utilized a shorter duration, similar to the 
dosing proposed in this study. 48 
 
The FDA approved label for tranexamic acid (TXA) contraindicates the use of the drug in patients with 
subarachnoid hemorrhage noting that cerebral edema and cerebral infarction may even be caused by TXA in 
such patients.  In this study TXA will be administered to patients during the prehospital intervention phase and 
prior to obtaining any brain imaging results.  Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is known to occur commonly in 
patients with traumatic brain injury, including those with penetrating injuries. Early studies examining the use of 
TXA in SAH that used higher doses and longer duration of administration initially raised the concern that there 
may also be an increase in cerebral ischemia. In more recent studies that have used lower doses of TXA 
(similar to our trial), a significant decrease in the rate of rebleeding continues to be observed with no increase 
in cerebral ischemic events and improved long-term outcome. In a randomized trial including over 500 patients 
who received 1 gm TXA IV followed by 1 gm q 6 hours until the aneurysm was occluded, there was no 
evidence of a higher risk of ischemia.49 Other smaller studies support this finding. A recent Cochrane review 
published in August 2013 examined this issue and while they concluded that the evidence does not support the 
use of antifibrinolytic drugs in the treatment of people with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, this meta-
analysis demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity (including combining higher dosing regimens with lower 
dosing regimens, prolonged drug administration with short term administration, and older studies with newer 
studies using neuroprotection).50 When subgroup analyses were performed specifically focusing on studies 
using superior methods to confirm ischemia (CT or autopsy), studies incorporating a placebo arm, and those 
utilizing neuroprotection, no significant differences were observed. Antifibrinolytic therapy had no effect on the 
rate of hydrocephalus. Thus, the Cochrane reviewers concluded that results of short-term treatment (as in our 
protocol) are promising and further randomized trials evaluating short-term antifibrinolytic treatment are 
needed.  
 
 
3.3.3 Military and civilian experience with TXA and trauma 
The Military Application of Tranexamic Acid in Trauma Emergency Resuscitation Study (MATTERs) was an 
observational study of 896 patients admitted to a Role 3 United Kingdom (UK) combat support hospital in 
Afghanistan between 2009-2010 who received at least 1 unit of packed red blood cells (PRBC) within 24 hours 
of admission.51 In this prospective cohort, 293 patients non-randomly received TXA. The TXA group had 
significantly lower mortality (17.4% versus 23.9%) despite being more severely injured. While a clear benefit 
was observed in patients who received a massive transfusion, the TXA group had a greater degree of blast 
injury and lower Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) on admission. Furthermore, the mortality difference was 
not apparent until 48 hours after admission, suggesting that a mechanistic benefit exclusive of its effects on 
coagulation may exist. Since this was an observational study, no blood was available for examination of the 
mechanism involved. Nonetheless, the results of this study were compelling and resulted in a change in the 
use of TXA in the UK and US. The US Joint Theater Trauma System Clinical Practice Guideline for Damage 
Control Resuscitation in deployed surgical hospitals now recommends that administration of TXA “as soon as 
possible after injury (but ideally not later than 3 hours post injury) should be strongly considered for any patient 
requiring blood products in the treatment of combat-related hemorrhage.”52 
 
The safety and efficacy of using TXA in trauma patients was recently studied in a large placebo-controlled trial 
of 20,211 trauma patients in 40 countries called “The Clinical Randomization of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant 
Hemorrhage” (CRASH-2). 53 Patients were considered eligible if they were within 8 hours of injury and had a 
(SBP) < 90 mmHg and/or heart rate > 110 beats per minute, or were considered to be at risk for significant 
hemorrhage. The ultimate decision to enroll eligible patients was based upon the uncertainty principle, 


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meaning that the physician had to be substantially uncertain about whether or not the patient would benefit 
from TXA to enroll them. Patients were randomized to either 1 gram TXA loading dose over 10 minutes 
followed by 1 gram TXA over 8 hours, or placebo. The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital death 
within 4 weeks of injury. The secondary outcomes were vascular occlusive events, transfusions, and surgical 
interventions.  The treatment and placebo groups were well matched. The all-cause mortality rate was 
significantly reduced in the TXA group compared to the placebo group (14.5% versus 16%). Interestingly, there 
was no difference in the number of blood products transfused between groups, calling into question the 
underlying mechanism for the observed benefit and raising the question as to which patient population 
benefitted from TXA. Because of the broad trauma patient population in CRASH-2, several pre-specified 
analyses of the data have been performed. In one post-hoc analysis of the CRASH-2 trial data, the association 
between time of administration of TXA and death due to bleeding as an end-point (as opposed to all-cause 
mortality) was evaluated.54 In this analysis, the authors demonstrated that death due to bleeding was 
dependent on the time from injury to treatment. When TXA was administered immediately after injury the 
relative risk (RR) of death due to bleeding was 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-0.74) and progressively 
increased the later the drug was given. Patients who received TXA within one hour of injury had a 13% lower 
all-cause mortality (95% CI 0-25%) than those treated with placebo. When treatment was given beyond 3 
hours from injury, however, the RR of death increased to 1.44 (95% CI 1.12-1.84) demonstrating a harmful 
effect. While these data clearly suggest that TXA should be given early after injury, the reason for the 
increased mortality at later time points remains unclear. 
 
The results from CRASH-2 raised the possibility that TXA may also be effective in TBI. CRASH-2 did not 
exclude patients with TBI, however they did not report detailed outcomes for this cohort. To further examine 
the use of TXA in TBI, the investigators presented the results on a cohort of 270 patients with TBI (defined as 
brain CT compatible with TBI and GCS ≤ 14) who were enrolled in CRASH-2. The study was prospective with 
detailed CT data and pre-specified outcomes.48 The primary outcome of the study was growth of the ICH, 
measured using CT at hospital admission and 24-48 hours later. Secondary outcomes were death from any 
cause, dependency (measured using the 5-point Modified Oxford Handicap Scale, dichotomized into dead or 
dependent versus independent) the need for neurosurgical intervention, and the appearance of new focal 
cerebral ischemic lesions on follow-up CT.53,55 In this analysis, the mean total hemorrhage volume growth was 
reduced from 8.1 ml in the placebo group to 5.9 ml in the TXA group. Equally important, however, was the 
finding that patients in the TXA group developed fewer new focal cerebral ischemic lesions than in the placebo 
group (4.9 versus 9.5%) and fewer patients died in the TXA group than in the placebo group (10.5 versus 
17.5%). Since none of these results were statistically significant, however, the authors concluded that neither 
moderate benefit nor moderate harm of TXA in TBI could be excluded.  
 
A second randomized controlled trial in patients with isolated TBI demonstrated similar trends. This trial was 
conducted in 240 patients with moderate to severe TBI who had a head CT with no immediate indication for 
surgery within 8 hours of injury.56  Subjects were randomized to a 2 gram TXA bolus or placebo. The primary 
outcome was progressive ICH on repeat CT scan which was defined as greater than 25% increase in any 
dimension or the presence of a new hemorrhage. Progressive ICH was present in 14% of patients receiving 
TXA and 25% of patients receiving placebo. This trial also found reductions in ICH growth (RR=0.6; 95% CI 
0.34-1.32) with TXA but did not collect data on ischemic lesions. The RR of death from all causes was 0.67 
(0.34-1.32) in patients allocated to TXA compared to placebo, and no evidence of increased thromboembolic 
adverse events was observed in the TXA group. Due to the lack of significance, the authors concluded that 
further clinical trials are needed to assess the effect of TXA on death and disability in patients with TBI. A 
meta-analysis of these two trials demonstrated significant reduction in both hemorrhage growth (RR=0.72; 
95% CI 0.55 to 0.94) and mortality (RR=0.63; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.99) with the use of TXA.57 
 
3.3.4 CRASH-3 trial  
Based on the promising results from the two previous trials of TXA in TBI, the Tranexamic Acid for the 
Treatment of Significant Traumatic Brain Injury trial (CRASH-3) was designed to provide evidence concerning 
the effect of TXA on mortality and disability in patients with TBI.57 The CRASH-3 trial is an international, 


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multicenter randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. To be eligible for this study, patients must be 
within 8 hours of injury and have evidence of an ICH on CT scan or a GCS ≤12, with no evidence of significant 
extracranial bleeding. The primary outcome is in-hospital death within 28 days.57 This trial is currently 
underway but as in CRASH-2, will again utilize the uncertainty principle, such that patients will only be enrolled 
when the physician is substantially uncertain if TXA is indicated to treat the TBI. Furthermore, the investigators 
are allowing subjects to be enrolled up to 8 hours after injury and they do not plan to study the mechanisms by 
which TXA affects outcome after TBI. 
 
3.3.5 Potential mechanisms of TXA 
No studies have examined the mechanism of TXA in patients with TBI. CRASH-2 was a phase III study that 
was not preceded by a phase II study to evaluate the mechanism by which subjects may have benefitted from 
the drug.53 No blood was collected and the effect of TXA using coagulation or fibrinolytic assays was not 
evaluated. Since there was no difference in the transfusion requirements between the TXA and the placebo 
groups, the mechanism leading to the mortality benefit in this trial remains in question. In the MATTERs study, 
TXA use was associated with significantly lower mortality; however, the mortality difference was not apparent 
until 48 hours after admission suggesting an alternate mechanism instead of a coagulation effect may be 
dominant.51 In this trial, as in CRASH-2, there was no assessment of fibrinolysis or the effect of treatment on 
fibrinolysis.  
 
Several potential mechanisms may be responsible for the lower mortality and reduction in ICH growth 
observed in previous studies. Increased fibrinolysis, as measured by elevated fibrinogen degradation products 
and D-dimers, is a common finding in the coagulopathy associated with TBI,58 thus raising the possibility that 
TXA may exert an effect by limiting progression of ICH through its antifibrinolytic activity. Another mechanistic 
explanation is that TXA may act by reducing the neurotoxic or proinflammatory effects of plasmin, independent 
of its effect on hemostasis.59  Tissue plasminogen activator has been shown to be important in the 
development of cerebral edema in the injured brain, presumably by activating plasminogen to plasmin.60,61,62 
By blocking the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, TXA may potentially counteract the effect of tPA 
resulting in decreased cerebral edema. A third potential mechanism is related to the interaction between the 
inflammatory and coagulation systems. Hyperfibrinolysis has been associated with inflammatory states and the 
generation of proinflammatory cytokines.63 By preventing hyperfibrinolysis, TXA may lead to decreased 
expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Several recent studies have demonstrated that TXA decreases 
inflammation in cardiac surgery,64,65 however, the pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of TXA have not yet been 
investigated in trauma patients with TBI. 
 
3.3.6 Limitations of existing evidence: 
There are several limitations of the currently available evidence that underscore the need for additional well-
designed trials in clearly defined patient populations. First, there is limited applicability of the currently available 
evidence for countries with well-developed trauma systems. Almost all of the patients enrolled in CRASH-2 
were from low and middle-income countries. In these countries transfusion protocols utilizing blood component 
therapy are rarely available. Furthermore, a majority of these countries lack the well-developed trauma 
systems with advanced prehospital care that is available in the United States. Trauma system improvements, 
including advanced prehospital care and rapid access to surgical intervention, have significantly improved both 
functional recovery and survival after injury in developed countries. This difference in resources between 
under-developed and developed trauma systems also limits the applicability of the safety analysis in CRASH-2. 
While no apparent increase in vascular occlusive events in patients treated with TXA compared to placebo was 
observed, it is possible that pro-thrombotic risks not identified in CRASH-2 might be demonstrated in the 
United States given the increased use of plasma and platelets. Furthermore, screening protocols for these 
events are utilized more frequently in the United States than they were in the CRASH-2 sites. Additionally, the 
trial design utilizing the uncertainty principle employed in CRASH-2 (and currently being utilized in the CRASH-
3 trial) resulted in an ill-defined patient population, further limiting the generalizability and reproducibility of the 
results. Thus, it still remains unclear exactly which patient populations should receive TXA. Finally, the 


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mechanism of TXA in patients with TBI remains unknown since neither the CRASH-2 trial or the MATTERs 
study performed mechanism related laboratory assays. This knowledge is critical to better understand the 
effect of TXA on coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation in order to interpret the results of this trial. This 
information will be used to direct future studies to evaluate drugs that target pathways not affected by TXA and 
to provide important information related to differences that may be observed between this trial and CRASH-2. 
Despite these limitations, the currently available data for the use of TXA in injured patients is compelling and 
mandates well designed large randomized clinical trials in injured patients to further define the risks and 
benefits of TXA in both shock and TBI. 
 
4. Trial Design 
4.1 Setting 
4.1.1 Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium 
The ROC is a research network of North American Emergency Medical Systems and level one trauma centers 
(10 regional clinical centers and 7 satellite centers)66 and a single data coordinating center (DCC).  Since its 
inception in 2004, ROC has provided infrastructure and project support for clinical trials and outcome-oriented 
research in the areas of cardiopulmonary arrest and severe traumatic injury. ROC has been able to leverage 
the vast collective resources of its member institutions and promote the rapid translation of scientific advances 
for public good. The proposed randomized clinical trial reflects the growth and extension of ROC's successful 
trauma research program from prehospital resuscitation interventions to interventions within the hospital 
environment. This trial will use the ROC infrastructure to implement the protocol as well as to provide additional 
funding.  
 
4.1.2 ROC site selection  
8 sites have committed to participate in this study based on the following criteria:  
 
Site requirements: 
• 
Emergency medical services (EMS) agency commitment to administer study drug 
• 
24/7 research coordinator for bedside data collection, blood draw, and notification of study enrollment 
and consent for continued participation  
• 
Ability to obtain head CT scan as soon as possible after arrival and repeat head CT scan within 24 
hours  
• 
24/7 capability of performing TEG 
• 
24/7 neurosurgical capability  
• 
anticipated enrollment of ≥10 patients per month based on past experience 
 
A minimum of 10 level one trauma hospitals within the ROC network of regional and satellite clinical sites will 
participate based on high enrolling performance in previous ROC trauma studies and completeness of site 
materials needed for application submission. The sites are as follows: 
 
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 
Dallas, TX; University of Washington Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA; Oregon Health & Science 
University, Portland, OR; St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, CAN; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; 
University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 
 


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4.2 Methods and Techniques 
4.2.1 Objectives 
This will be a phase II multi-site, randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and 
safety of TXA administered in the prehospital setting in subjects with moderate to severe blunt and penetrating 
TBI (GCS ≤12) who are not in shock (SBP ≥ 90 mmHg). The primary outcome will be the proportion of subjects 
with a favorable neurologic outcome (defined as a GOS-E > 4) six months after injury.   The secondary 
outcomes will be volume of ICH progression, proportion of subjects with ICH progression, frequency of 
neurosurgical interventions, GOS-E measured at discharge, DRS measured at discharge and six months, 28-
day survival, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days. Safety will be assessed by evaluating the 
proportion of subjects experiencing cerebral ischemic events, MI, DVT, PE, and seizures measured from 
randomization through 28 days or discharge, whichever occurs first. Mechanistic endpoints including 
coagulation and fibrinolytic profiles will be examined to comprehensively characterize coagulation and provide 
insight into dynamic changes and their relationship to treatment and outcome. Additional blood will be collected 
and stored for future analysis of inflammatory markers. 
 
4.3 Inclusion Criteria 
Subjects must meet ALL of the following: 
1. Blunt or penetrating traumatic mechanism consistent with traumatic brain injury 
2. Prehospital GCS score ≤ 12 at any time prior to randomization and administration of sedative and/or 
paralytic agents 
3. Prehospital SBP ≥ 90 mmHg prior to randomization 
(SBP < 90 mmHg has been used as the entry criteria for nearly all major investigations studying the 
treatment of shock.67,68,69,70 Furthermore, prehospital hypotension has been associated with a dramatic 
increase in morbidity and mortality following severe TBI including a two-fold increase in the incidence of 
severe disability and death.71) 
4. Prehospital intravenous (IV) access 
5. Estimated Age ≥ 15 (or estimated weight > 50 kg if age is unknown) 
(Enrollment will be restricted to age ≥15 years or > 50 kg if age is unknown as these adolescents are of 
appropriate size to receive the full dose of TXA). 
6. EMS transport destination based on standard local practices determined to be a participating trauma 
center  
(Patients who are temporarily stabilized at an outside facility and transported to a participating center 
will be considered ‘modified scene patients’ and will remain eligible if all other inclusion and exclusion 
criteria are met). 
 
4.4 Exclusion Criteria 
Subjects are ineligible if they meet any of the following: 
1. Prehospital GCS=3 with no reactive pupil 
2. Estimated time from injury to start of study drug bolus dose > 2 hours 
3. Unknown time of injury - no known reference times to support estimation   
 (In the CRASH-2 trial when treatment was given beyond 3 hours from injury the RR of death increased 
to 1.44 (95% CI 1.12-1.84) demonstrating a harmful effect.) 
4. Clinical suspicion by EMS of seizure activity, acute MI or stroke, or known history, to the extent 
possible, of seizures, thromboembolic disorders or renal dialysis 
5. CPR by EMS prior to randomization 
6. Burns > 20% total body surface area (TBSA) 
7. Suspected or known prisoners (Defined as any individual involuntarily confined or detained in a penal 
institution or any individual in police custody who must have a police escort at all times and excluded 
due to their vulnerable population status.) 


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8. Suspected or known pregnancy – (Since there are no well controlled studies in pregnancy, women who 
are either known or suspected to be pregnant will be excluded. However, data regarding the use of 
TXA in pregnant women are available demonstrating no thrombogenic effects of TXA in a retrospective 
analysis of 256 women with bleeding disorders in pregnancy.72 No mutagenic activity of TXA has been 
shown in vitro or in vivo test systems73,74 and no fetal abnormalities were identified in early 
dysmorphology and reproductive studies in animals.75,76 ) 
9. Prehospital TXA or other pro-coagulant drug given prior to randomization 
10. Subjects who have activated the “opt-out” process when required by the local regulatory board. 
 
5. Intervention 
5.1 Screening Procedures 
Screening will be conducted in the prehospital setting by the initial EMS responder. Prehospital trauma life 
support interventions focusing on airway, breathing and circulation will be performed and an initial GCS score 
will be assessed by EMS to determine eligibility. The patient will be considered eligible if the initial GCS is ≤ 12 
and the SBP has remained ≥ 90 mmHg prior to randomization, and other inclusion/exclusion criteria are met. If 
the GCS improves to greater than 12 prior to randomization, the patient will not be randomized. If the initial 
GCS is > 12 and during transport declines to ≤ 12 prior to administration of sedating and/or paralytic 
medication, the patient will become eligible if the SBP has remained ≥ 90 mmHg prior to randomization. If the 
SBP drops below 90 mmHg between randomization and administration of study drug or anytime thereafter, the 
patient will remain in the study and continue to receive the study drug. 
 
5.2 Study Procedures 
5.2.1 Randomization  
Eligible patients will be randomly allocated in a proportion of 1:1:1 bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and 
placebo. Randomization assignments will be generated by the ROC DCC. To attempt balance by site, 
permuted blocks of varying concealed size will be used. Nevertheless, location of the episode and availability 
of providers determine which agency responds to the episode and the order in which the containers are used 
cannot be determined a priori. As a result, the randomization will represent a complete randomization rather 
than a permuted block randomization. 
 
5.2.2 Prehospital intervention 
Participating EMS vehicles will carry pre-randomized, sealed, numbered containers of study drug. After 
confirming the patient meets criteria for entry into the study, participating EMS providers will open the study 
drug kit on their vehicle. Patients are considered randomized if a study drug kit seal is broken in the presence 
of the patient based on the above screening criteria even if the drug is not administered. EMS providers will be 
instructed to obtain intravenous (IV) access prior to opening the study drug kit. Vascular access and fluid 
administration will be per standard protocol by the EMS agency. EMS will mix the drug and administer the 
bolus infusion as soon as life-saving interventions are performed. If IV medication in addition to TXA is required 
and only one IV access line is available, EMS will be instructed to clamp the IV tubing, flush the line with 10 ml 
saline, give the emergency drug IV push, flush the line again with 10 ml saline, and resume the TXA infusion. If 
the bolus infusion is stopped for reasons other than a protocol violation or a serious adverse event that may be 
associated with TXA, it is to be restarted and completed within 3 hours of the estimated time of injury either 
prior to ED arrival or after ED arrival and the in-hospital study drug infusion will be given. If it is anticipated that 
the bolus infusion cannot be completed within 3 hours of the estimated time of injury then it will not be resumed 
and the in-hospital study drug infusion will not be given. 
 


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After randomization, EMS will provide the kit ID# to research personnel upon arrival in the receiving ED. The 
research personnel will contact the study coordinating center and, using the kit ID#, obtain the unique code ID 
for the blinded study drug vial that matches the randomization assignment for the appropriate hospital infusion 
administration.  In the rare case that the patient is brought to a non-participating facility, all study interventions 
will stop, the patient or patient’s family member or legally authorized representative (LAR) will be informed that 
they were enrolled in the study and asked to give permission to obtain their medical information so they may 
be followed for primary and safety endpoints.  In order to avoid this event, patients will only be eligible for this 
study if a determination is made that their destination is a participating hospital.  This determination is made 
independent of the study and is based on standard local practices.  Therefore, enrollment in the study will not 
delay transport to the participating hospital with the exception of any delay related to administering the drug. 
 
 
5.2.3 In-hospital intervention 
Research personnel will be responsible for obtaining the unique code identifier (ID) for the in-hospital blinded 
study drug vial that matches the prehospital study drug kit ID# randomization assignment by contacting the 
ROC Data Coordinating Center (DCC) by automated web based or phone system. The vial labeled with this 
unique code ID will be used to prepare the maintenance infusion appropriate for the randomization assignment 
of either 1 gm TXA 8 hour infusion or placebo 8 hour infusion. The maintenance infusion will be administered 
as soon as possible after arrival, and every effort will be made to begin administration within 3 hours of arrival 
or within 3 hours of completion of the prehospital infusion. If the infusion is not begun within 6 hours of hospital 
arrival or 6 hours from completion of the prehospital infusion, it will not be given. If the prehospital bolus 
infusion is not complete by the time the patient arrives to the hospital, it will be allowed to completely infuse 
and the maintenance infusion will be hung after completion of the bolus infusion. The subject will continue to 
receive the study drug as assigned until: (1) the study drug has completed the infusion, (2) the subject is 
demonstrated to have a serum creatinine >2.0 mg/dL at any time during study drug infusion, (3) the subject 
has died, (4) the patient, patient’s family member or legally authorized representative (LAR) withdraws from the 
trial, (5) the subject is determined to be pregnant or a prisoner, or (6) the subject develops a thrombotic event 
(MI, PE, ischemic stroke, or symptomatic DVT) or seizure activity. If the patient is considered to be in 
hemorrhagic shock and the primary treatment team determines TXA should be administered as part of a 
massive transfusion protocol or based on local standard of care, emergency unblinding of the treatment arm 
will be immediately available to the hospital physician.  All additional hemostatic agents and blood products will 
continue to be administered based on the discretion of the individual provider and according to local standard 
of care and will be recorded. Patients who develop hemorrhagic shock after randomization will continue to 
receive local standard of care treatment. If the treatment team is treating the patient for hemorrhagic shock and 
local standard of care includes administration of TXA, emergency unblinding will be required. The hospital 
physician will contact the ROC DCC’s automated unblinding web base or phone system to obtain the field 
treatment arm if there is a need for rapid emergency unblinding. This will also automatically notify staff at the 
ROC DCC and the site research personnel via email of the emergency unblinding.  The decision to administer 
additional TXA based on the patient’s randomized treatment arm will be based on clinician judgment. 
 
5.2.4 Treatment arms 
There will be three treatment arms. The prehospital container for each treatment arm, also known as the study 
drug kit, will house the blinded study drug vial along with a label for a 250 mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride for 
the bolus dose and labels for the IV tubing to flag the patient as enrolled in the TXA for TBI study. An EMS 
vehicle will carry the study drug kit as a part of their stock supplies. Each kit will be assigned and labeled with a 
randomization number, which EMS will communicate to the hospital-based research personnel, who then 
initiates the steps necessary to prepare the hospital infusion for administration.  
 


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5.2.5 Drug manufacture and supply 
The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for the trial drug Tranexamic Acid Injection will be purchased from 
CUSTOPharm Inc. CUSTOPharm recently contracted with X Gen Pharmaceuticals Inc. for shared ownership 
of the API license. (see Appendix 4 for TXA Monograph) TXA Injection is a colorless solution packaged in a 
glass vial and manufactured by Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC in accordance with Good Manufacturing 
Practices (GMP). Exela will also manufacture the injectable placebo solution (sodium chloride 0.9%) in the 
same type of glass vial in accordance with GMP. The TXA and placebo vials, being identical in appearance, 
will be shipped separately in bulk to Almac Clinical Services. Almac will assemble the blinded study vials into 
custom study kits for the prehospital dose and in multiple mixed vial containers for the in-hospital dose, 
distribute them to the clinical sites and be responsible for maintaining the Product Specification File until final 
database lock and unblinding of the trial data.   
 
5.2.6 Blinding 
All providers will be blinded to the intervention assignment in a double blind manner. At no point will EMS or 
hospital providers be able to distinguish the treatment group unless emergency unblinding is required as 
described in section 5.2.3. Adherence to the treatment protocol will be carefully monitored and protocol 
deviations will be identified through the data collected or reported to the ROC DCC by study coordinators. The 
blinding process will involve labeling the prehospital study kits with randomization numbers that will be used as 
the package identification and labeling the in-hospital dose vials with unique code identifiers that can be 
matched to the study kit randomization numbers.  
 
5.2.7 Justification for dose selection 
The dose selection for the study drug is as follows: 
• Bolus/maintenance arm: 1 gram IV TXA in 250 mL administered wide open followed by a 1 gram 
maintenance IV TXA infusion over 8 hours (weight based equivalent: 50 kg person – bolus 20 mg/kg, 
maintenance 2.5 mg/kg/h; 75 kg person – bolus 13.3 mg/kg, maintenance 1.7 mg/kg/h; 100 kg person – 
bolus 10 mg/kg, maintenance 1.25 mg/kg/h) 
• Bolus only arm: 2 grams IV TXA in 250 mL administered wide open followed by a maintenance placebo 
infusion over 8 hours (weight based equivalent: 50 kg person – bolus 40 mg/kg; 75 kg person – 26.7 mg/kg 
bolus; 100 kg person – bolus 20 mg/kg) 
 
The doses of TXA to be used in this study are based on studies of TXA in previous trauma trials including the 
CRASH-2 trial of TXA in trauma patients with significant hemorrhage as well studies performed in surgical 
patients. Loading doses in these studies have ranged from 2.5 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg with maintenance doses 
ranging from 0.25 mg/kg/h to 4mg/kg/h over 1-12h.42 Studies evaluating different dosing regimens of TXA on 
bleeding and transfusions have demonstrated no significant difference between the higher and lower doses. In 
cardiac surgical patients, a 10 mg/kg loading dose of TXA followed by an infusion of 1 mg/kg/h resulted in 
plasma concentrations sufficient to inhibit fibrinolysis, with no additional hemostatic benefit afforded by higher 
doses.77,78 In the CRASH-2 trial, there was no difference in the rate of vascular occlusive events (1.7% TXA 
versus 2.0% placebo) and no reported adverse events. In a study of patients with isolated TBI, a single 2 gram 
dose decreased ICH progression with no adverse events.  
 
The dosing regimens in this proposal were chosen for the following reasons: 
1. A fixed dose is most feasible in a prehospital study. 
2. A single bolus dose without a maintenance infusion would be preferred for military application. 
3. The adjusted per kilo doses for both interventional arms are in the range shown to inhibit fibrinolysis and 
provide a potential benefit in larger patients (>100 kg), yet have been shown to be safe without adverse 
effects in smaller patients (<50 kg). 
 
Justification for using standard dosing in subjects with potential renal insufficiency: TXA is eliminated through 
renal excretion and thus, there is the potential risk of accumulation in patients with renal impairment; however, 


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the dosing regimen in both interventional arms of this trial involve either a low dose followed by a short course 
of TXA, or placebo, such that accumulation is expected to be minimal in either arm. For this study, if a history 
of renal dialysis is known by EMS prior to randomization, the patient will be excluded. If randomization has 
occurred and the patient’s hospital serum creatinine is greater than 2 mg/dL at any time prior to or during the 
study drug infusion, the study drug infusion will be terminated.  
 
Justification for use in subjects with potential hepatic impairment: Only a very small proportion of TXA is 
metabolized by the liver, thus there is no need for dose adjustment in hepatic impairment and 
pharmacodynamic interactions with other drugs should be minimal. 
 
Justification for use in subjects with subclinical seizure activity not evident to EMS or care providers: 
In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, high doses of TXA have been associated with seizures;79 however, in 
the CRASH-2 trial there were no reports of serious unexpected adverse events involving seizures in 20,211 
trauma patients using similar doses proposed in this trial. In one retrospective review in patients who had 
undergone pulmonary endarterectomy with hypothermia, an increase in seizure activity compared to aprotinin 
was observed in patients without structural brain lesions (7 versus 0, p=0.02); however, the doses given were 
significantly higher than the doses to be administered in this trial.80 For this study, observed seizure activity or 
a history of seizure activity will exclude the patient prior to randomization or, if randomization has occurred, 
cause administration of the study drug dose in the field or hospital to be stopped. 
 
5.3 Baseline Assessment 
The baseline data, including demographics, injury mechanism, prehospital and ED hemodynamic variables, 
time to definitive care, mode of transport, presence of TBI, and fluids and blood products administered within 
the first 24 hours after injury will be obtained by the research coordinator as soon as feasible.  
 
5.4 Clinical Data Collection 
Because patient enrollment will occur at the scene of injury, there is no opportunity for baseline assessment of 
the patient by the clinical research coordinator; however, the ROC has an established infrastructure to facilitate 
obtaining all prehospital records including accurate time data from computer aided dispatch reports for all 
patients. Upon arrival to the hospital, a research coordinator will be available 24/7 at all sites. Direct bedside 
data collection will begin when the subject arrives in the ED and will continue until the patient receives the 
initial head CT scan and the hospital infusion is begun or for one hour, whichever occurs later. The time of 
arrival and time of initial head CT scan will be documented. GCS will be documented at these same time 
points. Data to be collected during this time period will include all fluid administered including hypertonic saline, 
all pharmacologic interventions including mannitol, all blood product transfusions, any procoagulant 
medications administered, history of current use of anticoagulant medications, life-saving interventions 
including intubation, initial clinical laboratory results, and surgical/neurosurgical procedures.  
 
Data will be collected on a daily basis for the first 28 days of hospitalization or until discharge/death on all 
subjects who did not choose to discontinue further participation in the trial. Information collected will include 
demographics, injury scoring data, blood product transfusions, hemostatic medication administration, timing 
and dosing of DVT prophylaxis, GCS, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, neurosurgical 
interventions (including intracranial pressure monitor placement, brain tissue oxygen monitor placement, 
microdialysis catheter placement, ventriculostomy, and decompressive craniotomy/craniectomy), timing of 
clinically indicated repeat head CT scan (including GCS at the time of repeat CT), other surgical procedures, 
vital signs, and routine daily lab results. In those institutions where CT is repeated in all patients with 
intracranial bleeding by protocol, the 2nd CT will be performed 6 hours after the first.  Complications recorded 
will include the following: thromboembolic complications (stroke, DVT, PE, MI) including results of 
thromboembolic screening procedures (including MRI, duplex ultrasound, PE protocol CT scans, 
electrocardiograms [EKGs]), results of electroencephalograms (EEG) evaluating seizures, results of 
transcranial doppler evaluating vasospasm, multiple organ failure (Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score), acute 


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respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS - based on the Berlin definition), transfusion related ARDS, acute kidney 
injury, diabetes insipidus,  hyper- and hyponatremia, infections, and sepsis. A pre-specified list of clinically 
indicated available lab results will be recorded and commonly include blood alcohol level, complete blood 
count (CBC) with platelets, electrolyte panel, coagulation tests (aPTT/ INR), fibrinogen, troponin, lactate, 
arterial and venous blood gas, and urinalysis. In addition to the information collected daily, the final discharge 
diagnosis, and discharge destination (home, long-term acute care hospital, skilled facility, death) will be 
recorded. A discharge GOS-E and DRS as well as a Neurologic Assessment: Symptoms and Signs Present 
will be obtained at the time the subject is discharged from the hospital. A 6-month GOS-E and DRS as well as 
a Neurologic Assessment: Symptoms and Signs Present will be obtained at 6 months after injury. 
(See Appendix 3 GOS, GOSE,  DRS and Neurological Assessment: Symptoms and Signs Present) 
 
5.5 Research Laboratory Data Collection 
Blood samples will be collected during the first 48 hours after admission from all subjects who have not 
withdrawn participation in the trial. Blood samples will be collected upon arrival in the ED (time 0) for all 
enrolled/randomized subjects and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours (or discharge from hospital – whichever occurs 
first). Studies to be performed at these time points include measures of fibrinolytic pathway activity. Kaolin 
activated TEG will also be performed on citrated blood samples at these time points for functional analysis of 
coagulation. Available data from these studies will be for research use only and will not be available for clinical 
decision making. In addition to the studies listed above, blood will be collected and stored at the same time 
points for inflammatory marker analysis for which additional funding will be sought. Blood will be stored for 
future testing only related to TBI, intracranial hemorrhage, fibrinolytic pathway mediators and other coagulation 
factors. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such that the patient’s identity 
will not be able to be ascertained. We chose these 5 time points to provide a broad temporal survey of 
coagulation changes after TBI weighted toward early sampling to fully characterize the early phase of 
coagulopathy. Later sampling at 24 and 48 hours will allow characterization of the transition from a 
hypocoagulable to a hypercoagulable state and full examination of the effect of the intervention on coagulation 
and inflammation after TBI. All attempts will be made to obtain study samples at the pre-specified time intervals 
and samples at times 0, 6, and 12 hours must be collected within +/- 30 minutes. Sampling at 24 and 48 hours 
will be collected within +/- 2 hours. In the event that samples cannot be collected in this time frame, 
documentation regarding the reason will be noted on the data collection forms. Up to 23 ml of blood will be 
collected in addition to the clinical sampling at each time point. Samples will be collected by the clinical person 
responsible for implementing physician orders for laboratory testing. The clinical research staff will then be 
responsible for processing and shipping at each site. All samples drawn for research purposes will be identified 
by the study number, the site identification number and date/time of collection. No personal identifying 
information will be included on the samples processed for research purposes. Assays that require immediate 
processing (TEG and CBC) will be performed at each study site by trained personnel. Other samples will be 
spun, aliquotted, frozen at -80°C, bar coded, and batch shipped by the clinical research staff to the Trauma 
Research Institute of Oregon, Oregon Health & Science University. The research laboratory data will be 
entered into a web based relational database created for the lab measurement component of this trial. 
 
5.6 Image Collection and Processing 
To reduce observer variation, we will perform a central review of all CT scans, a process that is considered 
essential in multicenter trials utilizing imaging studies. Each site will obtain digital images of all head CT scans 
obtained during the first 28 days of the subject’s initial hospitalization in Digital Imaging and Communication in 
Medicine (DICOM) format, which will be made available electronically by remote access, on a storage device, 
or via a secured file transfer protocol (FTP) upload site to OHSU CCC within two weeks of a subject’s 
discharge from the enrolling hospital. All MRI scans will be uploaded via the same mechanism to the OHSU 
image repository. All images will be stored in a de-identified manner. Head CT scans will be reviewed centrally 
at OHSU under the direction of a neuroradiologist who will be blinded to the treatment group assignment. A 
technician will be trained to utilize software designed to obtain computerized measurements of ICH 
volumes. The central neuroradiologist will audit 10% of scans to verify that accurate and consistent 
measurements are obtained. MRI and CT scans will be maintained in the imaging repository for future 


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analyses that may include computer-aided lesion analysis and/or regional brain volumetrics. 
 
5.7 Concurrent Care 
Prehospital care: there is significant variability in EMS systems resulting in difficulties associated with 
attempting to standardize care. Prehospital airway, fluid and blood product administration will not be 
standardized; however, detailed prehospital data will be collected to determine if there are potential differences 
in important prognostic treatment variables among different study sites. We will encourage the study drug to be 
administered as soon as possible after life-saving interventions are performed and prior to administration of 
blood products; however, there may be circumstances where this is not feasible.   
In-hospital care: in order to minimize variability in subsequent management of TBI, all sites will have 24 hour 
neurosurgical capability and will encourage the implementation of management guidelines set forth by the 
Brain Trauma Foundation that are supported by evidence based medicine.9 Additionally, evidence-based 
guidelines and protocols for critical care management will be encouraged and monitored and will include the 
following: management of severe TBI, early use of head CT with liberal use of repeat head CT for patients with 
ICH, massive transfusion protocol, transfusion guidelines for trauma patients, early detection and treatment of 
myocardial infarction and stroke, mechanical ventilation protocol, sedation/analgesia protocol for mechanical 
ventilation, early nutritional support protocol, glucose control in the ICU, diagnosis & treatment of ventilator 
associated pneumonia, adherence to surviving sepsis campaign guidelines, and venous thromboembolism 
surveillance and prophylaxis protocol for prevention.  In cases where a repeat CT is clinically indicated, it will 
be performed at approximately 6 hours. 
 
5.8 Early Termination of Study Drug  
 
When EMS personnel open the blinded study drug kit, the patient is enrolled and randomized and will be 
included in the primary statistical analysis if the study drug is connected to the patient’s IV access. The study 
drug will be terminated by EMS or by hospital providers for any of the reasons below. 
 
• 
Prehospital provider suspects the patient has developed a thrombotic event (MI,  ischemic stroke, ) or 
seizure activity OR after hospital arrival the patient develops a thrombotic event (MI, PE, ischemic 
stroke, or symptomatic DVT) or seizure activity  
• 
The patient requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)!
• 
The patient, patient’s family member or legally authorized representative (LAR) withdraws from the 
study 
• 
The patient is discovered to be pregnant  
• 
A serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL is obtained 
• 
The patient requires administration of Factor IX Complex concentrates or Anti-inhibitor Coagulant 
concentrates 
• 
The patient is discharged from the hospital prior to completion of the 8 hour infusion 
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6. Study Outcome Measures 
6.1 Primary Outcome Measure: 6 Month Neurologic Outcome 
Two National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus conferences have addressed clinical trial design for 
interventions designed to impact outcome from TBI.81,82 The first emphasized the importance of assessing long 
term outcome following brain injury and recommended use of the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) for subjects 
with severe brain injury (GCS ≤ 8) and the DRS for subjects with less severe brain injury (GCS 8-13).81 A 
subsequent conference recommended a 6 month follow-up utilizing outcomes that are “measurable, 
standardized, and relevant to lifestyle.”82 Specifically they recommended the use of the GOS-E. The rationale 
for this recommendation is that the GOS-E provides a better distinction between levels of disability, particularly 


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within the severe disability groups, while the GOS combines a wider range of disability into one category. 
Furthermore, combining the GOS-E with the DRS increases the ability to detect improvement following 
TBI.83,84,85,86 
 
Detailed neurocognitive, behavioral, and psychological testing has been advocated for full assessment of 
neurologic outcome following TBI. This approach requires that the patient return to the trauma center for 
intensive testing and requires extensive training for those administering the assessments. This approach has 
not been directly compared against the most widely used measures of GOS-E and DRS. Furthermore, recent 
experience with this approach in a TBI outcome study demonstrated a 50% rate of refusal by the patients to 
return for this detailed testing.87 Thus, application of these outcome assessments in this trial would exceed 
available resources, increase the risk of poor inter-rater reliability, and result in inadequate follow-up rates for 
subsequent analysis.  
 
Extended Glasgow Outcome Score:  The GOS was first proposed by Jennet and Bond in 1975.88 It is a simple 
four-point scale based on the degree of patient disability. It has been widely adopted based on its simplicity 
and high inter-rater reliability.89,90,91 An Extended Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS-E) was subsequently 
developed which further subdivides the categories of severe and moderate disability and good recovery.92 
Structured telephone interviews have been developed and validated for both the GOS and GOS-E and these 
questions will be incorporated into our follow-up survey.86,92 For each level of function, the baseline function 
prior to injury is assessed to ensure that the deficit can be attributed to the event. The GOS and GOS-E have 
been shown to correlate well with several other outcome measurements after TBI including neuropsychological 
and cognitive testing, the DRS, and measures of perception of health (SF-36).85,92,93 The GOS-E will be 
assessed at discharge and at 6 months after injury. The GOS-E measured at 6 months will be the primary 
outcome for this trial. 
 
Outcome assessment: Outcome assessment will be performed by telephone survey that includes the key 
components of the GOS-E and will be administered to patients or their caregivers at the time of discharge for 
baseline assessment and at 6 months after injury. Attempts will be made to contact the patient directly; 
however, for patients who are severely disabled, information will be obtained from the primary caregiver. 
Reliability will be assessed and if the patient is determined to be unreliable, a caregiver will be sought to 
complete the survey. Previous studies demonstrate that caregiver assessment is a valid means of assessing 
these outcome parameters.92,103,94 Previous follow-up in the TBI population demonstrate variable success in 
achieving adequate response rates ranging from 73% to 99% follow-up at 6 months.95,96,97 The ROC DCC has 
extensive experience with long-term outcome assessment in both TBI and non-TBI populations. In a large 
multi-institutional study evaluating prehospital hypertonic saline administration in TBI conducted by the ROC, 
an 85% response rate was achieved.98 We will utilize this model that includes a detailed contact list collected 
from the patient or family and friends prior to discharge and a log for tracking follow-up attempts by the study 
coordinators. The Public Access Defibrillator trial used a similar follow-up method and although not a trauma 
trial, this model resulted in 100% follow-up for the primary endpoint.99 In addition, telephone contact at one 
month post discharge will be initiated to establish a relationship and commitment for the 6 month interview. 
 
6.2 Secondary Outcome Measures 
• 
Clinical outcomes: Observed volume (absolute and relative) of ICH progression, proportion of patients who 
develop observed ICH progression (as defined below), Rotterdam and Marshall CT classification scores, 
DRS at discharge and 6 months, GOS-E at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days.  
• 
Safety outcomes:  Development of seizures, cerebral ischemic events, MI, DVT, PE 
• 
Mechanistic outcomes: Alterations in fibrinolysis based on fibrinolytic pathway mediators and degree of clot 
lysis based on kaolin activated TEG and defined as LY30 or the per cent lysis that occurs 30 minutes after 
maximum amplitude (MA) is achieved. 
 


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ICH progression is associated with an increased need for neurosurgical intervention and is independently 
associated with a 5-fold increased mortality in patients with TBI.21 If seizures or other adverse outcomes are 
found in this trial, it will be important to balance the potential benefit in reduction of ICH progression with the 
risk of an adverse outcome to determine the overall impact of TXA. All clinically indicated head CT scans 
obtained during the initial hospitalization or within the first 28 days will be assessed for ICH. All cerebral and 
carotid/vertebrobasilar CT and standard angiograms will be assessed for blunt cerebrovascular injury. 
Parenchymal, subdural and epidural hemorrhage volumes will be measured and quantified using volumetric 
software and verified by manual calculations based on the previously validated ABC/2 technique as needed. 
100 Ten percent of all scans will be audited by a single neuroradiologist for accuracy.  Each case in which a 
disparity is detected will be discussed with the neuroradiologist resulting in review of additional cases and 
retraining of the technologist as necessary.   Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) will be categorized as ≤ 5 mm 
or > 5 mm. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) will be visually assessed as present or absent on all scans with 
progression determined by direct comparison of studies by a neuroradiologist. New focal ischemic lesions will 
be defined as an area of focal low attenuation in a distribution indicating an arterial ischemic cause rather than 
a traumatic contusion and will be rated using a validated scale for ischemic stroke.60  Mass effect will be 
defined as sulcal effacement, ventricular effacement, uncal herniation, cistern compression, and midline shift. 
The following outcome measures will be recorded: the difference in the total hemorrhage volume across scans, 
determination of significant hemorrhage progression between scans defined as greater than a 33% increase, 
presence of a new ICH, worsening of SAH grade, worsening IVH or mass effect, and the development of new 
focal cerebral ischemic lesions. We have chosen to define progression of subdural, epidural and 
intraparenchymal hemorrhages as an increase of > 33% over baseline based on the description by Brott et 
al.101 This number is based on the following: a 33% change in the volume of a sphere corresponds to a 10% 
increase in diameter, which is considered a clear difference to the naked eye of a physician viewing serial CT 
scans of a patient with an ICH.101 Thus, this difference can be assessed clinically without using volumetric 
software applications. Second, previous experience suggests variability in measurement of lesions may occur 
due to variation in patient positioning and angles of the CT slice images rather than to an actual increase in 
hemorrhage volume, especially for small hemorrhages. Thus, by using an increase of > 33%, our CT definition 
of intraparenchymal, subdural, and epidural hemorrhage progression is conservative and is more likely to 
represent true hemorrhage growth as opposed to variability in CT imaging.101 All MRI scans during the initial 
hospital stay performed as part of routine clinical care will be uploaded with CT imagines to the imaging 
repository for future analyses that may include computer-aided lesion analysis and/or regional brain 
volumetrics. 
 
The DRS is designed to classify patients based on their degree of function after brain injury. The DRS consists 
of 8 items that fall into 4 categories: a) arousability, awareness and responsivity, b) cognitive ability for self-
care activities, c) dependence on others, and 3) psychosocial adaptability.102 The DRS has been reported to be 
more sensitive than the GOS-E for changes in function over the first year following injury.103 This may be 
particularly important for patients with moderate TBI. In this trial we will be enrolling patients with both 
moderate and severe brain injury. The DRS will be administered to patients or their caregivers at the time of 
discharge for baseline assessment and at 6 months after injury by telephone survey along with the GOS-E. 
 
Laboratory assessment of coagulation will include fibrinolytic pathway mediators. These mediators are 
important in the fibrinolytic pathway and will provide insight into the mechanism underlying an observed 
treatment effect. TEG will be performed at serial time points as a viscoelastic measure of coagulation and 
fibrinolysis. 
 
7.  Sample Size for the Primary Outcome 
The primary outcome is favorable neurologic function at 6 months after injury based on the GOS-E > 4.   Good 
outcome corresponds to either moderate disability or good recovery (GOS-E > 4), while poor outcome 
corresponds to death, vegetative state, or severe disability (GOS-E ≤ 4). The total sample size in the primary 
analysis population will be 963 (321 per group). The sample will include randomized patients for whom the 


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treatment is started (modified intention to treat population). Power computations were based on a comparison 
of binomial probabilities with assumed variance larger than given by the binomial distribution; the hypothesized 
additional variance would be contributed by the multiple imputation of outcomes for subjects with missing 
outcome data.  Based on results from the TBI cohort in the ROC hypertonic saline trial, 98 we assumed that 
40% of subjects treated only with placebo would have a poor neurologic outcome (GOSE≤4) at 6 months, that 
15% of subjects would be missing 6-month outcome data, and that the per-subject additional variance 
contributed by the multiple imputation of the outcomes was 10-6.  Under these assumptions, our sample size 
will allow for 80% power to detect a 7.1% absolute increase in a favorable GOS-E (> 4) at six months post 
injury comparing the combined TXA treatment groups to placebo, using a one-sided, level 0.1 test. Similarly, in 
testing for harm, this sample size will allow for 80% power to detect an absolute decrease of 9.5% in the 
proportion of patients with a favorable long-term neurologic outcome, using a one-sided, level 0.025 test. 
 
8.  Analysis Plan 
8.1 Primary Analysis 
Primary analysis: The primary analysis will be a modified intention to treat analysis that will include all patients 
who were randomized and began treatment. Because of the double-blind design of the study, this analysis 
tests the primary study hypothesis, and with slightly higher power than an analysis of all randomized patients. 
The primary analysis of this endpoint will use multiple imputation methods to account for missing outcome 
data, and logistic regression adjusting for site, to compare the combined TXA treatment arms to the placebo 
arm and estimate the adjusted odds ratio to describe the strength of the association between TXA treatment 
and favorable GOS-E at 6 months104,105,106. To reduce the chances that we will fail to demonstrate a possible 
treatment effect in this phase II study, a one-sided hypothesis test at the 0.1 level will be performed to compare 
the combination of the two treatment groups to the placebo group.  To evaluate the possibility that TXA 
treatment reduces the proportion of patients with good neurologic outcome at six months, a one-sided test at 
the .025 level will be conducted.  
 
• Safety population: Analysis of treatment safety will be conducted on all patients who had the study drug 
connected to their IV line.  Safety data will be reported on a regular basis to the Resuscitation 
Outcomes Consortium Data Safety Monitoring Board (ROC DSMB).   
 
 
 
 
8.2 Pre-Specified Secondary Subgroup Analyses 
 
Secondary analyses of the primary endpoint will additionally adjust for baseline prognostic factors including 
age, gender, prehospital GCS, mechanism of injury, and injury severity. Analyses for secondary outcomes that 
are binary will be conducted similarly. Additional secondary analyses of the primary endpoint will compare 
each treatment group separately to placebo, and the two treatment groups to each other. For quantitative 
secondary outcomes, linear regression analysis with robust standard errors will be used to test for treatment- 
placebo differences and to estimate the mean outcome difference associated with treatment, after adjustment 
for site and prognostic variables. Evidence for modification of the effect of treatment in the efficacy population 
by the presence or absence of additional prognostic factors will be examined using interaction terms in linear 
or logistic regression models, and estimated treatment differences will be reported separately in subgroups 
together with the statistical significance of the associated hypothesis tests for interaction. It is recognized that 
this study is not powered adequately to detect interactions and thus subgroup analyses will be considered 
exploratory, generating hypotheses for further study. 
 


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A priori subgroup analyses will compare outcome between both the combined and individual TXA treatment 
groups and the placebo group in: 
1. Patients who met all inclusion and exclusion criteria 
2. Patients who received the full intervention/placebo 
3. Patients who receive the prehospital intervention/placebo only 
4. Patients with an ICH on initial head CT and repeat head CT performed within 24 hours 
5. Patients with blunt vs. penetrating TBI 
6. Patients with Head AIS score ≥ 4 
7. Patients with Head AIS score <2 (altered mental status likely secondary to intoxication and not 
significant TBI) 
8. Patients requiring emergent craniotomy 
9. Patients stratified by no PRBC received versus 1-9 units PRBC received versus ≥ 10 units PRBC 
received in the first 24 hours 
10. Patient who require TXA administration for hemorrhagic shock after being randomized in the study 
 
8.3 Mechanistic Outcomes 
Due to the large number of outcomes and potential analyses, results of analyses of these outcomes will be 
treated as exploratory and will be used to inform the design of future studies that may result in clinical 
recommendations. These results will be summarized descriptively and will be analyzed using the same 
methods as for the secondary outcomes in order to give insight into the mechanism(s) underlying the observed 
treatment effects. Results will be reported using point estimates and the 95% confidence intervals rather than 
p-values. 
 
8.4 Plan for Missing Data 
All possible efforts will be made to avoid missing outcome data.  These include collecting detailed contact 
information from a variety of different sources prior to hospital discharge (address, email, other family 
members, friends, physicians), contacting the patient/family within one month of discharge to establish a 
continued relationship, and integrating TXA follow-up with other medical follow-up (e.g. clinic, physical 
therapy).  For the primary analyses, any missing outcomes will most likely be due to study patients withdrawing 
from participation in post-discharge follow-up or dropping-out. Neurological status at discharge is highly 
correlated with neurological status at 6 months.107 Specifically, we anticipate that patients who have a “good 
outcome” at discharge tend to improve and not get worse and those that have a “poor outcome” tend to remain 
at the same status or improve. In primary analyses, multiple imputation methods will be used to account for 
missing outcome data. 108,109,110  Sensitivity analyses will consider modified worst-case (last observed GOS-E 
score minus 1) for missing outcomes in all treatment arms, and a modified best-case (last observed GOS-E 
score plus 1) for missing outcomes in all treatment arms. 
 
 
8.5 Sequential Monitoring Plan 
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Because of the fear that selection criteria based only on field data may potentially include subjects who would 
not be able to benefit from TXA treatment, one formal futility analysis will be conducted based on outcome data 
from the first 200 subjects in the analysis population and reported to the ROC DSMB, using a Wang-Tsiatis 
boundary.111 The early stopping for futility is described in Table 1. The futility stopping rule would categorize 
results at the first analysis as futile if the observed crude difference in probabilities of a bad neurologic 
outcomes (GOSE < 5 at 6 months post injury) corresponded to an absolute increase of 6.8%.  As can be seen 
from the 95% confidence interval, this futility decision would nearly rule out the hypothesized improvement of 
7.1%. 


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Table 1: Protocol Stopping Rule 
 
Futility Boundary 
Efficacy Boundary 
N 
accrued 
Z 
Crude Diff 
Est (95% CI; one-sided P) 
Z 
Crude 
Diff 
Est (95% CI; one-sided P) 
First 
200 
0.955 
.068 
-.047 (-.072, .125); P = .82 
NA 
NA 
NA 
Second 
963 
-1.266 
-.042 
-.048(-.109, .022); P = .10 
-1.266 
-.042 
-.048(-.109, .022); P = .10 
 
Table 2 presents the probability of declaring superiority, futility or inferiority for selected hypothesized values of 
the true treatment effect.  The incorporation of the futility stopping rule affects the power of the study to detect 
benefit of TXA very little, moving the minimal absolute treatment difference that can be detected with 80% 
power from -0.070 to -0.071. 
Treatment Diff 
Pr[superior] 
 (power) 
Pr[Futile] 
Pr[inferior] 
-.071 
.80 
.20 
0 
-.05 
.59 
.41 
0 
-.03 
.35 
.64 
0 
-.02 
.25 
.75 
.01 
-.01 
.16 
.82 
.01 
0 
.10 
.88 
.02 
.01 
.06 
.90 
.05 
.02 
.03 
.89 
.09 
.05 
0 
.68 
.31 
.10 
0 
.16 
.84 
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8.6 Adverse and Serious Adverse Events 
TXA has been in use for decades and the safety profile is well established. Adverse events will be reviewed by 
the sponsor, which is the ROC DCC, as required by 21 CFR part 312 in addition to other entities delineated. 
The trial will collect data on adverse events that may be associated with the use of TXA in TBI. These events 
will be reviewed by an independent medical monitor and reported regularly to the ROC data safety monitoring 
board (ROC DSMB). The ROC DSMB is a distinct and separate entity from the ROC DCC and functions 
independently from the sponsor. 
 
While there have been rare cases of thromboembolic events and seizures potentially associated with TXA use, 
usually at higher doses, there is no evidence that the TXA treatment regimen proposed in this trial is 
associated with an increased risk of vascular occlusive events or seizures. Nonetheless, data on vascular 
occlusive events and seizures will be collected as secondary outcomes and will be provided to the independent 
medical monitor and ROC DSMB for unblinded review as necessary. Emergency unblinding will be 
immediately available if the primary treatment team determines TXA should be administered based on 
standard of care (i.e. patients in hemorrhagic shock). While we do not anticipate additional need to perform 
emergency unblinding, in the event that unblinding is deemed necessary for safety or treatment related 
decisions during the course of the study, emergency unblinding will be available to the hospital physician. 
 
An adverse event (AE) will be defined as any untoward medical occurrence affecting a trial participant during 
the course of the trial. A serious adverse event (SAE) will be defined as any medical occurrence that results in 
death, is life-threatening, requires ICU admission, requires prolongation of existing hospitalization, or results in 
persistent or significant disability. All members of the patient management team will be instructed as to the 


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possible adverse events prior to the start of the trial and will be given an emergency contact number to 
immediately report any suspected adverse event to the site investigators.  Any deaths not explained by the 
injury severity will be reported individually according to regulations regarding serious adverse events. In 
addition, serious adverse events will be reported in aggregate by blinded treatment group to the medical 
monitor and ROC DSMB on a regular basis. All adverse events that occur during the study period (after 
randomization until hospital discharge) will be recorded on the ROC DCC Alert forms found online. All potential 
adverse events will be reviewed as to the assigned treatment group and further classified by: a) severity (life 
threatening, serious, non-serious) and b) expected versus unexpected. Expected adverse events, assessed by 
the site PI, will be monitored by each enrolling site, reported to overseeing agencies as required by federal 
regulations and local requirements, and reviewed periodically by the ROC DSMB. The ROC DCC will tabulate 
and report on non-SAEs on a regular basis. 
 
Suspected Unanticipated Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR): Unanticipated serious adverse reactions will 
include potentially related SAEs suspected to be related to study treatment/intervention. The site PI will classify 
all in-hospital mortality according to underlying and contributing causes most relevant to TBI and other life- 
saving interventions. 
 
Expected Adverse Events: Common expected adverse events will include: death related to TBI, infectious 
complications, ventilator assisted pneumonia, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute 
kidney injury, and multiple organ failure.  Counts of these will be tabulated and reported to the ROC Data 
Safety and Monitoring Committee on a regular basis. 
 
SUSAR Reporting Procedure and Databases: In addition to following local reporting procedures, sites will 
notify the ROC DCC of a SUSAR or possible thrombotic or seizure related death within 3 business days of 
discovery of the event, and the site will complete an FDA MedWATCH Form within 7 days of notification and 
within 15 days of notification if the SUSAR is not life threatening. For a SUSAR, the ROC DCC will notify the 
medical monitor, ROC DSMB, appropriate regulatory agencies (FDA, Health Canada), ROC DCC IRB, site 
IRBs/Research Ethics Boards (REB), and the Department of Defense (DoD) promptly.  
 
All unanticipated problems involving risk to subjects or others, serious adverse events related to participation in 
the study and subject deaths related to participation in the study must be promptly reported by phone (301-
619-2165), by email (usarmy.detrick.medcom:usamrmc.other.hrpo@mail.mil), or by facsimile (301-619-7803) 
to the USAMRMC, Office of Research Protections, Human Research Protection Office. A complete written 
report will follow the initial notification. In addition to the methods above, the complete report will be sent to the 
U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, ATTN: MCMR-RP, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, 
Maryland 21702-5000-us. 
 
Infusion Discontinuation Rules: Any thromboembolic event (MI, PE, ischemic stroke, or symptomatic DVT) or 
seizure activity will prompt cessation of the infusion and a medical safety review. Further detail regarding 
specific clinical indications for stopping the study drug early will be provided in the manual of operations. 
 
8.7 Other Adverse Events 
Due to the short duration of the study and the six-month time period between enrollment and primary outcome 
measurement, there will be no formal interim analysis, however, regular ROC DSMB meetings will be held 
every six months. All other adverse events will be reported to an independent medical monitor and chair of the 
ROC DSMB, reviewed at regular ROC DSMB meetings and included in a safety report to the FDA. All adverse 
events and protocol violations will be reviewed. The Chair of the ROC DSMB can convene additional meetings 
as necessary. 


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8.8 Roles and Responsibilities of the Medical Monitor 
An independent medical monitor will review all unexpected problems involving risk to subjects or others, SAEs 
and all deaths related to TBI and provide an unbiased written report of the events. At a minimum, the medical 
monitor must comment on the outcomes of the event or problem and in case of an SAE or TBI-related death, 
comment on the relationship to participation in the trial. Because a moderate number of deaths (approximately 
15% based on Trauma Epistry Registry data for patients with GCS ≤ 12)7 are expected due to the presence of 
moderate and severe TBI in the subjects enrolled prior to the intervention, individual reports to the ROC DSMB 
will be aggregated and reported on a timely schedule acceptable to the ROC DSMB. If the death is considered 
unexpected and is either suspected or probably due to treatment, this event will be promptly reported to the 
medical monitor and the ROC DSMB. The medical monitor must also indicate whether he/she concurs with the 
details of the report provided by the principal investigator. Reports for serious adverse events determined by 
either the investigator or medical monitor to be possibly or definitely related to participation must be promptly 
reported per FDA, DoD and/or Health Canada guidelines.   
 
Dr. Ernest Moore is the independent medical monitor for this study. He has committed to comply with the 
following statements: 
The monitor: 
[ X ] 
Is independent of the research team. 
[ X ] 
Possesses sufficient educational and professional experience to serve as a subject advocate. 
[ X ] 
Will promptly report discrepancies or problems to the IRB. 
[ X ] 
Has the authority to stop the research in progress, remove individual subjects  
            from the research, and take whatever steps are necessary to protect the  
            safety and well-being of the subjects until the IRB can assess the monitor’s report. 
8.9 Data Entry 
The ROC DCC uses a sophisticated secure data entry website with a separate home page for each protocol 
that allows case initiation and look up, access to references such as web entry instructions, form worksheets, 
manual of operations, a form completion matrix, training resources, a request system used as a formal channel 
of communication between the sites and the ROC DCC and an on-line inventory management system.  To 
permit managing thousands of subjects in all its studies and registries, the website has an interactive episode 
list that allows filtering, sorting, and accessing cases and specific forms of interest.  The data entry website 
employs many kinds of data entry quality controls, including field checks, within-form consistency checks, 
across-form consistency checks, and across protocol-case consistency checks.  Some checks cannot be 
bypassed, some can be overridden with an optional explanation, and some can be overridden only after 
consulting with the ROC DCC project managers.  The system provides live reporting on these checks to 
enable the ROC DCC to detect large and/or subtle patterns of data entry error. A flexible monitoring system 
allows for email notification to the ROC DCC and the addition of an alert form to the episode when data 
entered could be considered a protocol violation or deviation. All actions on the data entry website, such as 
modification of forms, are logged with the user and a timestamp to provide a complete history of any data point 
in the database. This facilitates resolution of any question arising from incidental and routine review of the 
data. 
 
8.10 Database Management 
Data collection and analysis will be organized into 3 tiers. First, data will be collected via the web as described 
above into the data collection relational database; most quality control measures will be employed at this stage 
to ensure data entry quality.  Data will be pulled from this database and formed into a 2nd transitional 
database.  At this stage, additional data that are not directly the result of data entry will be added, such as 
calculated variables.  Data can then be exported for analysis in most statistical software packages. 
 


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Computer servers are housed either on site at the ROC DCC or are managed by University of Washington 
Information Technology (UW-IT) at one of the UW data centers. Daily backups are made of the most important 
data: the web portal, relational database, the shared file server, and key files from personal computers. Tape 
backups of the same data are made and taken offsite on a weekly rotation, and scheduled less frequently, a 
tape backup is kept offsite in accordance with current applicable UW records retention policies. 
9.  Human Subjects Research 
9.1 Potential risks 
The patients in this study will be randomized to 1 gram TXA bolus with 1 gram TXA 8-hour maintenance 
infusion versus 2 gram TXA bolus with placebo 8-hour maintenance infusion versus placebo bolus and 8-hour 
maintenance infusion. TXA has been associated with seizures and increased risk of thrombotic events. These 
potentially negative outcomes form the basis for the secondary outcome measures. Children estimated to be 
less than 15 years of age, women who are known to be pregnant, and prisoners will be excluded from this trial. 
The ROC DCC will advise the site IRB/REB’s and clinical investigators that review and approval of the protocol 
must satisfy the applicable sections of 21 CFR 50 Subpart D, Additional Safeguards for Children in Clinical 
Investigations. 
 
In accordance with FDA regulations, we will develop an adverse event reporting system to identify and treat 
any potential adverse events. We intend to closely monitor the clinical course of all patients enrolled in this trial 
to identify any expected or unexpected adverse events. Data regarding adverse events will be collected in both 
a structured (standard form) and open (describing any difficulties encountered) format. Expedited serious 
adverse events will be reported by the ROC DCC to the Medical Monitor, FDA, ROC DSMB, DoD, ROC IRB 
and site IRB/REB’s in the timelines as required by 21 CFR 312.32. In addition, aggregate reports regarding 
other safety endpoints will be reviewed by the ROC DSMB at their meetings. 
 
9.2 Potential Benefits to Placebo Arm 
Due to the Hawthorne effect, patients in both arms of the study may anticipate improved outcomes due to the 
additional training and focus by both prehospital and hospital personnel. The benefit to society involves a 
critical evaluation of antifibrinolytic therapy in a patient population that is likely to benefit from the intervention. 
Results from this study could form the basis for a significant improvement in the management of TBI. 
9.3 Protection Against Risks 
9.3.1 Protection of Human Subjects and Consent 
This study qualifies for the “Exception from informed consent required for emergency research” outlined in FDA 
regulation 21CFR50.24.  
1. Subjects are in a life threatening situation and collection of valid scientific evidence is necessary to 
determine the safety and effectiveness of the particular interventions 
2. Obtaining informed consent is not feasible because the subject cannot give reasonable consent due to 
medical condition, intervention must be given before consent can be obtained from a LAR, and cannot 
prospectively select subject 
3. There is prospect of direct benefit to subject because they are in a life-threatening situation requiring 
intervention, risks associated with this study are reasonable compared to standard of care therapy 
4. The research could not be practically be carried out without the waiver 
5. Diligent attempts will be made to contact the LAR or family member for them to object to subject’s 
continued study participation within the protocol-defined therapeutic window. 
6. IRB has reviewed and approved the informed consent procedures and documents to be used with the 
subjects or LAR for this study 


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7. Additional protection of rights will be provided which will include: community consultation and public 
notification, an established independent data safety monitoring committee, and efforts will be made to 
obtain informed consent from family members if the LAR is not available 
 
A detailed explanation of each criterion stipulated in the regulations for this exception and how our trial design 
applies to these criteria is outlined in Appendix1. 
 
This study qualifies for the “Exception from informed consent required for emergency research” outlined in FDA 
regulation 21CFR50.24. Based on previous data, TXA is anticipated to be most effective if administered 
immediately following injury. In this uncontrolled setting the patient has an altered mental status secondary to 
brain injury, which can cause confusion and loss of consciousness. As a result, the patient is unable to provide 
consent for study enrollment. Legal next-of-kin are often not immediately available at the injury scene, nor is it 
typically feasible for the prehospital or ED providers to explain the study and receive consent while caring for 
the critically injured patient. Taken together, these issues provide sufficient support for an exception from 
informed consent in order to evaluate an intervention that may have significant outcome benefits to this patient 
population.  For the rare scenario where family members and/or next of kin are available at the injury scene 
and an opportunity for consenting them presents itself, a short script providing information regarding the study 
will be made available to the family members/next of kin such that they have an opportunity to withdraw 
consent for the patient’s participation in the study. Once the subject arrives in the hospital the site principal 
investigator or a designated member of the research team will make frequent attempts as soon as feasible, per 
local IRB/REB requirements, to contact a LAR and/or family member to obtain consent for continued 
participation and provide an opportunity to withdraw from participation in the study. A verbal withdrawal will be 
considered binding. Attempts to contact will include direct contact, telephone contact and written contact or any 
other contact options as approved by local IRB/REB policy. An assessment will be done at the time of 
approaching the LAR/subject for consent to assure the LAR and/or subject is competent to make a sound 
decision regarding the consent process. In the event that the subject does not survive following the traumatic 
injury, their information will be included in the data analysis. Written notification may be sent to the deceased‘s 
family regarding their participation in the study, per local IRB/REB policy. Due to the severity of the injuries 
incurred, it is difficult to specify the time frame involved with obtaining the consent, however multiple attempts 
will be made to obtain consent prior to completion of the study requested blood tests (72 hours after hospital 
arrival).   
 
The requirements for community consultation/public disclosure will be determined by each institution’s local 
IRB/REB. All sites have experience conducting random telephone surveys as well as developing and 
completing community consultation and public disclosure processes. The ability and method of opting out of 
the study will be determined by local IRBs/REBs. Community consultation will be undertaken prior to IRB/REB 
approval. Because the population eligible for enrollment includes all citizens in the study regions, it will not be 
possible to target specific individuals although the local IRB/REB may suggest targeting specific groups such 
as teenagers. The community consultation plan for each study site will be individualized to fit the IRB/REB 
requirements. The ROC sites have considerable experience conducing community consultation and have 
published these experiences. A variety of methods are employed including consultation with community 
leaders and targeted community groups, random telephone surveys, and community meetings.  Most sites 
provide an “opt out” process determined by their local IRB/REB. This process allows members of the 
community to identify themselves if they choose not to be involved in the study. The associated “opt out” 
identifier is often in the form of bracelets or identification card. Prehospital personnel will be trained to check for 
these “opt out” identifiers prior to enrolling any patient.  Public disclosures will be performed both prior to study 
enrollment and at the completion of the study in the form of multimedia press releases organized by the ROC 
and by local sites. Local sites may decide to target notification to specific community groups such as 
teenagers, biking clubs, motorcycle clubs, etc. at the direction of the local IRB/REB. These will include plans 
for the study, including potential risks and benefits, equipoise and a summary of the results of the study upon 
completion. In the event that the press releases are not widely circulated, advertisements will also be placed in 
local papers describing the study. Information regarding the study will also be available on the ROC website.  
 


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9.3.2 Vulnerable populations 
Across the US and Canada the laws defining the adult population as related to consent differ from an age of 15 
years at the youngest to 21 years at the oldest.  In order to consider this wide variability, all consent related 
procedures, forms, and notification documents will be approved by the participating sites local IRBs or 
Canadian Research Ethics Boards (REBs) prior to the onset of the study. 
 
This study may include subjects age 15 to 20. Subjects sixteen years of age and older are considered as adult 
trauma subjects in a large percent of the trauma centers. Sixteen and seventeen year olds are able to drive in 
most states and are at high risk for motor vehicle accidents resulting in blunt or penetrating injuries. Excluding 
this age group would significantly decrease our efforts to randomize 963 subjects in a one year period of time. 
Additionally, it is difficult to differentiate a 16 or 17 year old from one who is 21 or older at the time care is 
initiated in the prehospital setting until positive identification can be obtained. Children known to be below the 
age of 15 (or weight < 50 kg if age is unknown) at the time of enrollment will be excluded from this trial. 
Children‘s intravascular volume is different than the adult‘s, requiring adjustments to the standard adult 
treatment protocols. In addition, this study will be conducted at Level I trauma centers which may or may not 
have affiliated pediatric programs. 
 
Known or suspect pregnant women will be excluded from this study due to the lack of controlled studies in this 
population.   
 
Suspected or known prisoners (defined as any individual involuntarily confined or detained in a penal institution 
or any individual in police custody who requires a police escort at all times) are excluded. It is possible that 
subjects may be enrolled who are under observation as suspects and become prisoners at some point during 
their hospitalization or following discharge.  Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) approval of an 
IRB/REB prisoner certification allows the research procedures and data collection to continue for any patient 
who becomes a prisoner after enrollment. As with any other enrolled subject, consenting and/or notifying the 
patient, family, and/or LAR with the option to withdraw is required. Participating site IRB/REB’s will seek 
prisoner certification approval from OHRP. 
 
A Certificate of Confidentiality will be obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to protect the privacy 
of subjects by protecting identifiable research information from forced disclosure. The Certificate of 
Confidentiality will allow the investigators and other research associates who have access to research records 
to refuse to disclose identifying information on subjects in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceeding, whether at the federal, state, or local level. For example, during the 6-month GOSE interview, 
information that if disclosed could have adverse consequences for subjects or damage their financial standing,  
employability, insurability, or reputation.  By protecting researchers and institutions from being compelled to 
disclose information that would identify research subjects, the Certificate of Confidentiality will help  
achieve the research objectives and promote participation in studies by assuring confidentiality and privacy to 
participants.   
   
 
9.4 Proposal Timeline 
The following is the proposed timeline for this trial: Submit protocol to ROC Protocol Review Committee 
(September 2013), submit to ROC DSMB (October 2013), submit to FDA for IND (September 2013), obtain 
ROC DSMB final approval (November 2013), obtain FDA IND approval (January 2014), begin web data entry 
design and programming (January 2014), begin site IRB/REB submission (Jan 2014), begin community 
consultation (Mar 2014), start public notification (May 2014), final IRB approvals and web data entry completed 
(May 2014), DoD Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) approval (May 2014), first site enrolls (June 
2014), last site begins enrollment (Sept 2014), last patient enrolled (June 2015), final data cleaning and data 
analysis (Dec 2015), final analysis (Feb 2016), primary manuscript submitted (May 2016). 
 


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9.5 Public Purpose 
TXA has been shown to safely reduce the risk of death due to bleeding in thousands of injured patients across 
the world. The absolute benefit has ranged from 1.5% in a broad population of injured patients, to 6.5% in 
injured warfighters receiving a blood transfusion, to 13.7% in those requiring a massive transfusion. Thus, in 
the most severely injured patients the number of people that need to be treated to save one life is only 7. TXA 
has not been well studied in TBI. In the largest study of patients with TBI and ICH, TXA use was associated 
with a decrease in the volume of ICH progression by 27%.  This is extremely important because progression of 
ICH is independently associated with a 5-fold increase in mortality. Since TBI is the leading cause of death and 
disability due to trauma and is the number one cause of death in young people, if TXA is shown to improve 
outcome in patients with TBI, it could be one of the most important advances in the treatment of TBI to date. 
 
9.6 Military Significance 
TBI is a major cause of death and disability on the battlefield. Veterans who have suffered TBI have life-long 
functional limitations, as well as a high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide.112 Efforts to 
treat TBI in the field include avoiding hypotension and secondary brain injury. Current Tactical Combat 
Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines do not directly address the management of casualties with TBI except for 
providing an adequate airway, maintaining the arterial oxygen saturation > 90%, and avoiding shock.113 There 
is currently no effective therapy that offers the potential to improve the return to duty rate and decrease death 
and disability among warfighters. The MATTERS trial showed improved survival in a military population despite 
the fact that patients who received TXA were more severely injured and more coagulopathic.51 TXA has 
tremendous potential to limit ICH progression, reduce surrounding brain edema, minimize cellular injury and 
improve long-term neurological outcome after TBI. TCCC guidelines recommend a 1 gram bolus of TXA 
followed by a 1 gram infusion over 8 hours for hemorrhagic shock or those at risk for major bleeding. The 
current proposal has the potential to significantly change these recommendations. First, a positive trial would 
potentially broaden the field indications for TXA to casualties with TBI. Second, an improved understanding of 
the safety profile of TXA use in TBI will allow TXA to be given safely to warfighters with both hemorrhagic 
shock and head injury. Finally, we propose studying a single 2 gram dose of TXA delivered in a manner that 
would be far more feasible to administer in austere or hostile conditions than the current method that requires a 
continuous infusion over 8 hours. The results of this study will be highly relevant to the military and could 
provide the foundation for expanding military guidelines for treatment of injured warfighters with TBI.  


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10. References 
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1 Sauaia A, Moore FA, Moore EE et al.  Epidemiology of trauma deaths: a reassessment.  J Trauma. 
1995; 38: 185-193. 
2 Sosin DM, Sniezek JE, Thurman DJ.  Incidence of mild and moderate brain injury in the United 
States, 1991.  Brain Inj. 1996; 10:47-54. 
3 Graham DI, Adams JH, Doyle D.  Ischaemic brain damage in fatal non-missile head injuries.  J 
Neurol Sci.  1978; 39:213-234. 
4 Graham DI.  Ischaemic brain damage is still common in fatal non-missile head injuries.  J Neurol 
Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1989; 52:346-50. 
5 Gross CP, Anderson GF, Powe NR.  The relation between funding by the National Institutes of 
Health and the burden of disease.  N Engl J Med. 1999; 340:1881-1887. 
6 The Brain Trauma Foundation.  The American Association of Neurological Surgeons.  The Joint 
Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care.   Critical pathway for the treatment of established 
intracranial hypertension.  J Neurotrauma. 2000; 17:537-538. 
7 Newgard CD, Sears GK, Rea TD et al.  The Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium Epistry-Trauma: 
design, development, and implementation of a North American epidemiologic prehospital trauma 
registry.  Resuscitation. 2008; 78:170-178. 
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Appendix 1:  Exception from Consent for Emergency Research 
We have outlined below each criteria stipulated in the regulations for this exception and how our 
study design applies to these criteria. 
Sec. 50.24 Exception from informed consent requirements for emergency research 
(1) The human subjects are in a life-threatening situation, available treatments are unproven or 
unsatisfactory, and the collection of valid scientific evidence, which may include evidence 
obtained through randomized investigations, is necessary to determine the safety and 
effectiveness of particular interventions. 
The proposed trial is a randomized, controlled trial of Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic 
Brain Injury. The randomized drug regimen of 1 gram TXA followed by 1 gram 8 hour drip, 2 gram 
TXA followed by 8 hour placebo drip, or placebo initial dose, and placebo 8 hour drip to be initiated as 
soon as feasible to victims of blunt or penetrating moderate to severe head injury (GCS ≤12) and no 
initial hypotension (SBP>90 mmHg). These patients are in an immediate life threatening situation with 
mortality of >25% with 1/3 of patients surviving to experience mild to moderate neurologic deficit.  
Standard of care for prehospital management of these patients includes the rapid infusion of 
crystalloid solutions without any pharmacological interventions to control hemorrhage or secondary 
inflammatory injury.  
As reviewed in this proposal the extent of brain damage experienced by patients with TBI is 
determined by the extent of the primary injury as well as of secondary injury consisting of 
coagulopathy and inflammation. TXA has been shown to prevent hyperfibrinolysis which may limit 
progression of ICH and reduce cerebral edema through its action on plasminogen. TXA is an 
established drug for hemophilia to reduce or prevent hemorrhage and to reduce the need for 
replacement therapy during tooth extraction. Its profile in those indications and doses is known. TXA 
has recently been the subject of a large multicenter trial targeting its use to control hemorrhage in 
patients suffering from traumatic injuries including a subset of TBI patients. Although the safety profile 
of these patients was not well captured, there did not appear to be a large number of associated 
adverse events if TXA was given less than 3 hours after injury. In a smaller trial TXA was associated 
with a significant reduction in the rate of re-bleeding. Our trial will administer TXA in the prehospital 
setting as soon as feasible after TBI and will capture more thoroughly the safety data on this 
population through our rigorous trial administration and data capture. No new pharmacological therapy 
has been implemented for routine use in acute TBI in over 30 years.12 Mortality in patients with severe TBI is 
greater than 25%113 yet one third of patients still survive with minimal to moderate neurologic deficits. Given 
this wide variability in neurological recovery, an effective treatment for TBI has the potential to significantly 
impact neurologic outcomes.  
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(2) Obtaining informed consent is not feasible because: 
i. 
The subjects will not be able to give their informed consent as a result of their medical 
condition; 
 
ii. 
The intervention under investigation must be administered before consent from the 
subjects' legally authorized representatives is feasible; and 
iii. 
There is no reasonable way to identify prospectively the individuals likely to become 
eligible for participation in the clinical investigation. 
(i, ii &iii) In order to perform this trial, the initial dose of the randomized intervention will be 
administered within a short time of EMS arrival at the injury scene; estimated to be 5-10 minutes. The 
patient will often have altered mental status as a result of the injury or require intubation. The patient is 
often unable to provide consent for study enrollment as a result of their injuries. The legal next-of-kin 
are often not immediately available in the prehospital setting or when the patient arrives to the ED. 
Because this trial involves traumatic brain injury which is unpredictable, there is no way to 
prospectively identify individuals who are likely to become eligible for this trial. We will inform the 
family member or LAR at the earliest feasible opportunity of the subject‘s inclusion in the clinical 
investigation, the details of the investigation, other information contained in the informed consent 
document, and that he or she may discontinue the subject‘s participation at any time without penalty or 
loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled. Such notification is not usually feasible 
before or at the actual time of treatment and may be deferred until after resuscitation efforts have been 
completed. Such notification will be in person wherever possible and as soon as feasible unless 
otherwise directed by an IRB/REB.  
 
(3) Participation in the research holds out the prospect of direct benefit to the subjects 
because:  
i. 
Subjects are facing a life-threatening situation that necessitates intervention; 
ii. 
Appropriate animal and other preclinical studies have been conducted, and the 
information derived from those studies and related evidence support the potential for 
the intervention to provide a direct benefit to the individual subjects; and 
iii. 
Risks associated with the investigation are reasonable in relation to what is known 
about the medical condition of the potential class of subjects, the risks and benefits of 
standard therapy, if any, and what is known about the risks and benefits of the 
proposed intervention or activity. 
(i) As defined, these patients with traumatic brain injury are facing a life threatening situation which 
requires immediate intervention. 
(ii) Previous trials studying TXA have been conducted in the trauma population and suggest a survival 
advantage overall and significant direct benefit to patients with TBI if given as soon as possible and 
within the first 3 hours of injury.  
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(iii) There are currently no available medications that have been shown to improve outcome for 
patients with moderate and severe TBI. There have been two randomized controlled trials examining 
the use of TXA in patients with moderate and severe TBI. One of these trials used the 1 gram bolus 
followed by 1 gram infusion dose being utilized in one of the arms of this trial.1 The other trial utilized 
the 2 gram bolus dose being used in the second treatment arm of this trial.2 Both trials demonstrated 
statistical trends toward decreased progression of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and decreased 
mortality in patients receiving TXA compared to placebo. Furthermore, no increase in thromboembolic 
or other complication was observed.   
(4) The clinical investigation could not practicably be carried out without waiver. 
This trial could not be conducted without waiver of consent due to the need to administer the study 
medication  as part of  the initial resuscitation of the patient. 
(5) The proposed investigational plan defines the length of the potential therapeutic window 
based on scientific evidence, and the investigator has committed to attempting to contact a 
legally authorized representative for each subject within that window of time and, if feasible, 
to asking the legally authorized representative contacted for consent within that window 
rather than proceeding without consent. The investigator will summarize efforts made to 
contact legally authorized representatives and make this information available to the IRB at 
the time of continuing review. 
The initial resuscitation time period for this trial begins at the time the paramedics arrive at the patient in 
the injury scene. Resuscitation and intervention protocols are often initiated within the first 5-10 minutes of 
EMS arrival. Due to the nature of the injury and the intensity of the resuscitation efforts, it is not often 
feasible to obtain consent prior to the resuscitation protocol being initiated and prior to randomization into 
the study. The legal next of kin are often not immediately available when the EMS arrives at the patient’s 
side. However, a script will be provided when feasible in the prehospital setting to inform patients, 
their legal representative, or family member of the study  and allow an opportunity for verbal objection 
to study enrollment or to withdraw from further participation in accordance with FDA regulations under 
21 CFR 50.24. But it is acknowledged that the acute circumstances may only rarely if ever afford 
such opportunity. 
 
Once the patient arrives in the emergency department (ED) resuscitation continues. The family is not 
usually present during this time. We will, however, make a reasonable attempt to contact a LAR for each 
subject at the earliest feasible opportunity to obtain consent rather than proceeding without consent. The 
LAR or family will be informed of the subject‘s inclusion in the clinical trial, the details of the trial, other 
information contained in the informed consent document, and that he or she may discontinue the subject‘s 
participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefit to which the subject is otherwise entitled. Such 
notification is not usually feasible before or at the time of treatment and must be deferred until after 
resuscitation efforts have been completed. Such notification will be in person wherever possible and as 
soon as feasible (unless otherwise directed by a local IRB/REB).  
 
Informed consent will be obtained from patients or their LAR of the study when feasible. In addition, due to 
the continuation of the intervention into the hospital, repeated attempts will be made to contact that patient 
or LAR at the earliest feasible opportunity after hospital arrival to notify them of study participation and 
seek consent for ongoing participation. Efforts to contact LARs will be tracked and reported to the local 
IRB. Attempts will continue to obtain consent from the LAR and/or patient throughout the hospitalization. 
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Attempts to contact will include direct contact, telephone contact and written contact of any other contact 
options as approved by local IRB policy. An assessment will be done at the time of approaching the 
LAR/subject for consent to assure the LAR and/or subject is competent to make a sound decision 
regarding the consent process.  
 
When approached for notification of study participation following enrollment, the patient or their LAR will 
have the option of withdrawing from the study. During the notification process, the details of the trial will 
be reviewed along with potential risks and benefits, the endpoints of interest and the process by which 
these endpoints are evaluated. When notified of trial enrollment, the patient or their legal representative 
will be given the opportunity to withdraw from further data and sample collection. If the patient or LAR 
withdraws, all further data collection and blood sampling will cease. A verbal withdrawal of the subject‘s 
further participation in the study will be considered binding. Data collected prior to the point of withdrawal 
will be reviewed for study purposes. All research laboratory samples collected up to the point of 
withdrawal will be obtained and analyzed. In this circumstance, we will be limited to a description of 
baseline data and data collected up to the point of patient withdrawal to ensure that subjects who 
withdraw are comparable among the groups. Our previous experience suggests that refusals of this 
nature are rare. It will be up to local IRBs/REBs to determine if and when a written consent form is 
required for continued participation.  
 
As this is an emergency research study we will be seeking an emergency waiver of consent. We will 
contact the LAR for continued trial participation, at the earliest feasible time for the LAR to provide 
informed consent. All study procedures already performed and yet to be completed will be explained, 
consent for continued participation will be requested as well as consent for follow-up after hospital 
discharge. If the subject becomes competent to provide consent during their admission, he/she will be 
approached by the research coordinator for approval for all study procedures including the 6 month follow-
up interviews.  
 
Taken together with the lack of current satisfactory treatment, the life-threatening nature of these trauma 
types, and the prospect of benefit to participants, these factors provide sufficient support for an 
emergency exception from informed consent in order to evaluate an intervention that may have significant 
outcome benefits to this patient population.  
 
(6) The IRB has reviewed and approved informed consent procedures and an informed 
consent document consistent with Sec. 50.25. These procedures and the informed consent 
document are to be used with subjects or their legally authorized representatives in situations 
where use of such procedures and documents is feasible. The IRB has reviewed and approved 
procedures and information to be used when providing an opportunity for a family member to 
object to a subject's participation in the clinical investigation consistent with paragraph 
(a)(7)(v) of this section. 
 
All procedures and consent forms will be approved by the regional study site (Institutional Review 
Boards (IRBs) or Canadian Research Ethics Boards,(REBs) prior to the onset of the trial. 
 
(7) Additional protections of the rights and welfare of the subjects will be provided, including, 
at least: 
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i. 
Consultation (including, where appropriate, consultation carried out by the IRB) with 
representatives of the communities in which the clinical investigation will be conducted 
and from which the subjects will be drawn; 
Public notification and community consultation in accordance with local IRB and Canadian REB 
policies will be undertaken prior to IRB/REB approval. Because the population eligible for 
enrollment includes all citizens in the study regions, it will not be possible to target specific 
individuals although the local IRB/REB may recommend targeting specific groups. The community 
consultation plan for each trial site will be individualized to fit the local IRB/REB requirements. The 
participating sites have considerable experience conducing community consultation. A variety of 
methods are employed including consultation with community leaders and targeted community 
groups, random telephone surveys, and community meetings. Most sites provide an opt-out 
process to individuals who do not want to be enrolled. The opt-out process allows all members of 
the community to identify themselves if they choose to not be involved with the study. For this 
study, the opt-out identifier (i.e., colored bracelet or identification card) will be determined by the 
local IRB and will be made available through the community consultation programs. The identifier 
can be given to the individuals at time of meeting or mailed out to the individuals requesting the 
opt-out process. Prehospital personnel will be trained to check for these patients prior to 
randomization.  
 
ii. 
Public disclosure to the communities in which the clinical investigation will be 
conducted and from which the subjects will be drawn, prior to initiation of the clinical 
investigation, of plans for the investigation and its risks and expected benefits; 
(ii) Our suggested approach to public disclosure/community consultation will follow techniques 
previously approved by local IRBs/REBs and employed at individual centers, such as random-digit 
dialing, open-forums, public announcements via newspaper or radio, and other locally approved 
methods of contact with the public. Visual aids, such as power point, flyers or posters can be used 
in the presentations, and all material will be in lay terminology. Each communication will include 
information as to the purpose of the trial, the consent process, the risk and benefits to the 
community/patient, and the time commitment required. As each community is unique and may 
require specific or special needs, the local IRBs/REBs will approve the methods for their 
community and ensure that community consultation practices are both appropriate and complete 
before consent is given to begin the trial.   
iii. 
Public disclosure of sufficient information following completion of the clinical 
investigation to apprise the community and researchers of the study, including the 
demographic characteristics of the research population, and its results; 
(iii) Public disclosures will be performed both prior to trial enrollment (with opportunity and a 
mechanism for the community to contact the investigators with their response) and at the 
completion of the trial in the form of multimedia press releases organized by the ROC and by local 
sites at the direction of the IRB/REB. These will include plans for the trial, including potential risks 
and benefits, and a summary of the results of the trial upon completion. In the event that the press 
releases are not widely circulated, advertisements will also be placed in local papers describing the 
trial. Information regarding the trial will also be available on the ROC website. 
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iv. 
Establishment of an independent data monitoring committee to exercise oversight of 
the clinical investigation;  
(iv) An independent data safety monitoring board will exercise oversight of the study.-and 
v. 
If obtaining informed consent is not feasible and a legally authorized representative is 
not reasonably available, the investigator has committed, if feasible, to attempting to 
contact within the therapeutic window the subject's family member who is not a legally 
authorized representative, and asking whether he or she objects to the subject's 
participation in the clinical investigation.  
(v) We expect that the majority of subjects who meet the enrollment criteria will either be 
unconscious or have an altered mental status secondary to acute blood loss, traumatic brain injury 
or intoxicating substances, and thus will not be in a position to provide informed consent in the 
Prehospital or ED setting. Accordingly, it may not be feasible to attempt to obtain informed consent 
during the therapeutic window. We will inform the family member or LAR at the earliest feasible 
opportunity of the subject‘s inclusion in the clinical trial, the details of the trial, other information 
contained in the informed consent document, and that he or she may discontinue the subject‘s 
participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise 
entitled. (See more details in item 5 above.) Such notification is not usually feasible before or at the 
actual time of treatment and must be deferred until after resuscitation efforts have been completed. 
Such notification will be in person wherever possible and as soon as feasible (unless otherwise 
directed by a local IRB). A local log will be kept to document the attempts made to contact the 
LAR/family member.  
vi. 
The investigator will summarize efforts made to contact family members and make this 
information available to the IRB at the time of continuing review. 
(v &vi) A script will be provided to explain the study to patients, their legally authorized 
representatives, or family members prior to study enrollment whenever feasible. In addition, 
patients, their legally authorized representative, or family member will be contacted as soon as 
feasible to be notified of study participation, give permission for 6 month follow up calls and be 
allowed an opportunity to withdraw from the study. For those who withdraw no further data will 
be collected beyond the withdrawal date except for vital status at hospital discharge. These 
efforts will be documented and reported to the IRB/REB per local requirements. 
 
(8) References 
1!CRASH-2 Collaborators.  Effect of tranexamic acid in traumatic brain injury: a nested randomized, 
placebo controlled trial (CRASH-2 Intracranial Bleeding Study). BMJ. 2011; 343:d3795. 
2 Yutthakasemsunt S, Kittiwattanagul W, Piyavechvirat P et al. Tranexamic acid for patients with 
traumatic brain injury: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. BMC Emergency 
Medicine. 2013; 13:20 
 
 
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Appendix 2: Suggested Templates for Consent and Notification Forms 
 
Sample Prehospital TXA Use for TBI Emergency Provider Script for Verbal 
Exception from Informed Consent Participation 
 
[Insert name of institution] 
 
Study Information Script 
 
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
 
Prehospital Study Information and Opportunity for Verbal Objection to Enrollment 
 
Instructions:  
 
While at the scene when the emergency medical system (EMS) provider determines the injured person has 
met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria, the following information may be provided as feasible to the 
conscious and alert patient, legally authorized representative, and/or family member of the patient who has 
experienced injury from trauma. 
 
The purpose of the study information script is to attempt to provide an opportunity for verbal objection to study 
enrollment or to offer the opportunity to decline further participation, if already enrolled, only if the situation is 
both safe and does not adversely affect patient care and/or transport. The acute circumstances should only 
rarely, if ever, afford such opportunities.   
EMS providers will be trained to attempt notification only in situations when feasible to conscious or alert 
patient, legal representative or family member. 
 
Script: 
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1. You (or your loved one) appear to be at risk for brain injury and needs treatment to protect the brain from 
further injury.  
  
2. I want to let you know that we [Local emergency medical service] are conducting a research study that tests 
the use of a medication to treat brain injury which is commonly used to control bleeding in hopes of saving 
more lives. 
 
3. Treatment needs to be done quickly, but we want to give you the option of not being enrolled in the study. 
 
4. If you say no we will treat you (or your loved one) according to our standard protocols. Someone will give you
more information when we reach the hospital.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sample - Prehospital TXA Use for TBI 
Consent/Notification 
 
[Insert name of institution] 
 
Continued Participation Consent/Notification Form 
 
 Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
 
Investigators 
 
[List name, title and phone numbers] 
  
 
 
 
 
24 hours Emergency Telephone Number: [emergency phone number] 
Ask for the [PreHospital Research Coordinator] on call 
 
Researcher’s Statement 
 
We are asking you to be in a research study. The purpose of this consent form is to give you the information 
you will need to help you decide whether to continue to be in the study or not. Please read the form carefully. 
You may ask questions about the purpose of the research, what we would ask you to do, the possible risks 
and benefits, your rights as a volunteer, and anything else about the research or this form that is not clear. 
When we have answered all your questions, you can decide if you want to continue to be in the study or not. 
This process is called “informed consent”. We will give you a copy of this for your records. 
If you are unable to provide written informed consent, a legally authorized representative (LAR) may consent 
on your behalf to continue to take part in this study.   
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Purpose of the Study 
Bodily injury from a physical force to the head can damage brain cells and blood vessels, which may cause 
bleeding in the head. Emergency treatment is given to protect the brain cells that were not injured from 
damage caused by interruptions in the blood supply.  
Tranexamic Acid (TXA) is a medication commonly given to control bleeding. This study compares the 
effectiveness of two methods used for giving TXA as early as possible following head injury. The two parts of 
this study are:  
1. How effective is the medication during the early time period after the injury? 
2. How effective is the medication 6 months after injury? 
When medics determined your head was injured, a decision was quickly made to enroll you in this study. 
Special permission has been granted by our review board here, the [name of IRB/REB] (IRB/REB), the Food 
and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command 
(USAMRMC) Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) to enroll subjects in this study without their prior 
consent due to the emergency nature of their injury. The IRB, FDA, Health Canada and HRPO oversee the 
safety of subjects in medical research. 
This study will enroll 963 patients at 10 sites across the United States and Canada. The study will enroll 
approximately [xx] patients here in [city/county]. One third of the patients will receive the traditional method of 
receiving TXA, one third will receive a modified method, and one third will receive only a salt water solution 
with no active medication.  
Study Procedures 
If you (or patient’s LAR) agree to continue in this study, your medical and surgical care will not be changed. 
You were enrolled in this study by the medics who first cared for you and brought you to the hospital. Because 
the situation was potentially life-threatening, medics provided emergency life support interventions for airway, 
breathing and circulation. Afterward they observed physical symptoms of head injury that made you eligible for 
this study. Medics performed all clinically necessary treatments and procedures considered to be standard of 
care. In addition, medics opened a package that contained either a vial of 1 gram TXA, a vial of 2 grams TXA 
or a vial of salt water, which they mixed into a bag of intravenous fluid. This bag of fluid was given to you 
immediately through a tube connected to a catheter inserted into a vein.  
The package and vial were designed so that the exact contents of the vial could not be known by the medics. 
The packages were organized in a randomly assigned order and labeled with numbers linked to a list of the 
vial content that is not available to the medic. This method ensured that the vial the medics used for you was 
the result of chance, like flipping a coin.  
When you arrived at the hospital, the prehospital study drug kit number was given to the study research staff. 
The research staff used the kit number to access the list that links the number to the vial needed to administer 
the in-hospital infusion. The direct care providers do not have access to information about the content of the 
vial unless the doctor determines it is necessary. In this manner, the pharmacist or nurse will mix the blinded 
vial containing either 1 gram TXA or salt water in a second bag of intravenous fluid. This second bag is given 
slowly over 8 hours. Once the second bag of study drug is finished, you do not receive another. This study 
treatment is performed in addition to all clinically necessary treatments and procedures considered to be 
standard of care.  
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Blood samples for research testing (about 2 tablespoons each) are collected on arrival to the hospital and at 6, 
12, 24, and 48 hours, if you are still in the hospital at that time. The special blood samples for this study will be 
shipped to the Trauma Research Institute of Oregon, Oregon Health & Science University and used to look at: 
1. How your body reacted to the injury 
2. How your blood is clotting (or clumping together) 
3. How your body has reacted to the fluids and treatments you received  
4. Tests in the future not yet known at this time (No genetic testing will be done for this study. We will ask for 
your consent to perform genetic testing at another time for a separate study.)  
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head injury and blood clotting factors. The specimens will be 
stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such that your (the patient’s) identity will not be able to be 
known. 
Your hospital records will be reviewed. Information will be collected such as procedures, tests, complications 
and vital signs. Head CT and MRI scans will also be sent via a secure electronic file transfer protocol to the 
Trauma Research Institute of Oregon, Oregon Health & Science University and maintained in an imaging 
repository for future analyses. These scans will be stored in a de-identifiable manner such that your (the 
patient’s) identity will not be able to be known.   
 
If you were transferred to another hospital setting, we will ask for your permission to contact that facility to 
follow up on your progress. You will need to sign an additional HIPAA form to allow us permission to contact 
the other hospital and get your medical information.    
Immediately prior to being discharged from the hospital, research staff will ask you to answer questions about 
your ability to perform regular daily activities. With your permission, we will also contact you by phone one 
month after you are discharged to home. At that time we will confirm your contact information and remind you 
about the final phone call at 6 months following your injury. This final phone call will take approximately 30 
minutes. We will ask you to compare your ability to perform regular daily activities before your injury and after 
your injury.  For example we will ask you about eating, drinking and personal hygiene activities, like washing 
your face and brushing your teeth. Your care giver or family member may respond to these questions for you. 
You have the right to refuse to answer any of the questions.   
 
Risks, Stress, or Discomfort 
Participation in this study may involve some added risks or discomforts, although TXA is now being used in 
many hospitals and many countries safely to treat bleeding problems.  
Adverse events might include: 
1. Too much TXA is given - if the amount given is too large you may experience eyesight disturbances, 
nausea, vomiting, seizures. These are very rare and the dose given for this trial have not been known 
to cause those problems. 
2. TXA given too quickly - If the amount of medication is given too quickly you may experience low blood 
pressure which may cause decreased blood flow to your head. When you have a head injury 
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this may be associated with complications and a possible risk of death. The TXA in this study is diluted 
and given over a period of time to decrease the chances of this happening. 
3. Any dose – TXA increase the risk of blood clots to vital organs. If this occurs, the medication will be 
stopped immediately.  
4. Skin irritation at the site of infusion or a rash due to a minor allergic reaction with no effects on your 
blood pressure or heart rate. 
5. You may have an allergic reaction to the TXA (including severe immediate reactions) as is possible with 
any drug.   
6. Whenever personal information is collected, there is always the potential that someone who is not 
authorized by this consent form may see your information. However, steps will be taken to minimize this 
risk. 
 
If you suffer any injury as a result of this study, please understand that nothing has been arranged to provide 
free treatment at [insert site name] or any other type of payment. However, all facilities, emergency treatment 
and professional services will be available for your use just as they are to the community in general.  
If you have had any injury, bad effect, or any other unusual health experience you think may be from the study, 
make sure you tell the nurses or the study investigator, [Dr. Doctor at (123) 123-4567].  
 
(OR use the wording below for Canadian sites in this form)  
By signing the consent form, you do not give up any of your legal rights and you do not release the study 
doctor or other participating institutions from their legal and professional duties. There will be no cost to you for 
the participation in this study. You will not be charged for any research procedures. If you become ill or  
physically injured as a result of participation in this study, medical treatment will be provided at no additional 
cost to you. The costs of your medical treatment will be paid by your provincial medical plan. You will not 
receive any payment for participation in this study. 
If you have had any injury, bad effect, or any other unusual health experience you think may be from the study, 
make sure you tell the nurses or the study investigator, [Dr. Doctor at (123) 123-4567].  
 
Alternatives to Taking Part in This Study 
The best known emergency care was given to you by the medics.!There are no alternative treatments for your 
head injury except to withdraw from continued participation in the study.  You can stop at any time without 
penalty or loss of benefits.  Whether you choose to be in this study, or choose not to be in this study, will not 
affect your health care here at [insert hospital name].  If you do refuse continued participation, we will not 
collect any more data from you.  Information about your treatment that transpired up to the date and time of 
your treatment will still be collected.  
 
Benefits 
You may not directly benefit from this study. We cannot guarantee that there will be any benefit to you. The 
study may determine there is no benefit from either dose of TXA compared to salt water. It is not yet known 
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that TXA provides a benefit.  However, you may benefit from the study if you receive TXA and it proves to be 
effective.  
If TXA proves to be effective, the potential benefits for society are: 
• 
Giving TXA as early as possible after head injury could help patients recover more fully after moderate 
to severe head injury. 
• 
One dose of TXA 2 grams given early may help decrease bleeding in the head better than one dose of 
TXA 1 gram given early and followed by a second dose of TXA 1 gram given over 8 hours. 
 
Other Information  
The U.S. Department of Defense is providing grants funds for this study. 
A description of this clinical trial will be available on http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, as required by U.S. 
Law.  This Web site will not include information that can identify you.  At most, the Website will include a 
summary of the results.  You can search this Website at any time. 
Regardless of whether or not you choose to continue in this study, you will receive the same level of care.  
Withdrawing from further participation in the study has no effect on how you will be treated by the doctors 
currently providing care. 
Information available up to the point you decide not to continue participation will be retained for the study. You 
have the right to change your mind about participating in this study at any time.  If you do change your mind, 
you may contact [name of study coordinator and phone number] or tell the doctor or nurse providing your care. 
 
 
Cost, compensation, and reimbursement 
There is no cost to you for participating in this study. You or your insurance will be responsible for all standard 
of care charges. You will not be charged for lab tests performed strictly for research purposes.  
There will be no payment to you for taking part in this research study.  
If you received a bill that you believe is related to your taking part in this research study, please contact [insert 
PI name] at [insert PI contact number] with questions. 
 
Confidentiality 
 
Please understand that representatives of the FDA, the [name of local IRB/REB], the National Institute of 
Health (NIH), the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and the Resuscitation Outcomes 
Consortium (ROC) may review your research and/or medical records for the purposes of verifying research 
data, and will see personal identifiers.  However, identifying information will not appear on records retained by 
the sponsor, with the exception of treatment and service dates.  You will not be personally identified in any 
reports or publications that may result from this study.  These records will be retained for [XX] years.   
 
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We do make every effort to keep the information about you confidential. You have been assigned a code 
number. This code number is used on all of the data we collected. A key linking you to the code number is kept 
locked in a secure location and will be available only to the local site investigators. Once this study is 
completed, this key will be destroyed.  
To help protect your privacy, we have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institutes of 
Health.  With this Certificate, researchers cannot be forced to disclose information that may identify you, even 
by a court subpoena, in any federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceedings.  Researchers will use the Certificate to resist any demands for information that would identify 
you, except as explained below. 
 
The Certificate cannot be used to resist a demand for information from personnel of the United States 
Government that is used for auditing or evaluation for Federally funded projects or for information that must be 
disclosed in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
You should understand that a Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you or a member of your family 
from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your Involvement in this research.  If an insurer, 
employer, or other person obtains your written consent to receive research information, then the researchers 
may not use the Certificate to withhold that information. 
 
 
 
Exceptions: 
A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent researchers from voluntarily disclosing information about you, 
without your consent in incidents such as child abuse, and intent to harm yourself or others. 
There is a separate section in this consent form that you will be asked to sign which details the use and 
disclosure of your protected health information.  
 
 
 
(OR use the wording below for sites which include the HIPAA language in this form)  
AUTHORIZATION TO USE AND DISCLOSE INFORMATION FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES  
The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires [use either “your health care 
provider” or the actual name of the entity holding the health records] to obtain your permission for the research 
team to access or create protected health information about you for purposes of this research study. Protected 
health information is information that personally identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future 
physical or mental health condition or care. We will access or create health information about your relative, as 
described in this document, for purposes of this research study [if applicable, add: and for your treatment]. 
Once [use either “your health care provider” or the actual name of the entity, as above] has disclosed your 
relative’s protected health information to us, it may no longer be protected by the Federal HIPAA privacy 
regulations, but we will continue to protect your relative’s confidentiality. 
 
We may share your health information related to this study with other parties including U.S. and Canadian 
government regulatory, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command  and other funding agencies, an 
independent research medical monitor, the [insert local IRB/REB], and the Resuscitation Outcomes 
Consortium (ROC) at the University of Washington. ROC is an emergency medicine clinical trial network which 
is coordinating this research. 
 
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You cannot continue to participate in this study unless you permit us to use your protected health information. 
If you choose not to allow us to use your protected health information, we will discuss any non-research 
alternatives available to you. Your decision will not affect your right to medical care that is not research-related. 
Your signature on this Consent Document authorizes [use “your health care provider” or the actual name of the 
entity, as above] to give us permission to use or create health information about you.  
 
Although you may not be allowed to see study information until after this study is over, you may be given 
access to your health care records by contacting your health care provider. Your permission for us to access or 
create protected health information about you for purposes of this study has no expiration date. You may 
withdraw your permission for us to use your health information for this research study by contacting [PI name] 
at [telephone number, fax number and address.] However, we may still use your health information that was 
collected before withdrawing your permission. Also, if we have sent your health information to a third party, 
such as the study sponsor, or we have removed your identifying information, it may not be possible to prevent 
its future use. You will receive a copy of this signed document.  
 
The [insert name of the entity holding the health records] generally requires that we document in your medical 
record chart that you are taking part in this study. The information included in the chart will provide contact 
information for the research team as well as information about the risks associated with this study. We will 
keep the Informed Consent Document in our research files; and a copy [will/will not, based on local policies] be 
placed in your medical record chart. 
To help protect your privacy, we have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institutes of 
Health.  With this Certificate, researchers cannot be forced to disclose information that may identify you, even 
by a court subpoena, in any federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceedings.  Researchers will use the Certificate to resist any demands for information that would identify 
you, except as explained below. 
 
The Certificate cannot be used to resist a demand for information from personnel of the United States 
Government that is used for auditing or evaluation for Federally funded projects or for information that must be 
disclosed in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
 
 
You should understand that a Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you or a member of your family 
from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your Involvement in this research.  If an insurer, 
employer, or other person obtains your written consent to receive research information, then the researchers 
may not use the Certificate to withhold that information. 
 
Exceptions: 
A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent researchers from voluntarily disclosing information about you, 
without your consent in incidents such as child abuse, and intent to harm yourself or others. 
For additional information about this study, please visit our website at [local study web site link]. If you have 
questions regarding your rights related to participation in this study, you may contact the [name of local 
IRB/REB and phone number].  
Data from this study may be reported in scientific meetings, articles or other appropriate communications 
without your identification information. 
If, during the course of the study, new information becomes available, we will provide it to you. 
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A copy of this consent will be placed in your medical record.   
Date___________________     
 
Investigator’s Name________________________________________ 
                                                  
 Investigator’s Signature________________________________________ 
 
Subject’s Statement 
The study described above has been explained to me.  I have had an opportunity to ask questions. If I have 
any other questions in the future about the research I can contact one of the Investigators listed on the first 
page.  If I have any questions about my rights as a research subject, I can call the [name of local IRB/REB and 
phone number]. 
You were enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject or the subject’s legally authorized 
representative can be obtained.   
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop being a part of this study at any time. If you choose to 
stop taking part in this study, no additional information will be collected. The information collected up to the 
time you chose to stop being in the study will remain in the research database and will be included in the data 
analysis. The information we collect for the study is coded to protect privacy. You will not be personally 
identified in any reports. 
 
 
 
If you choose to voluntarily consent to continue in this study, please check the yes box and sign below. If you 
choose to withdraw from taking part in this study, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to continue to participate in this study including participating in a phone 
                call survey 6 months after my injury to assess my recovery. 
 
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head injury and blood clotting factors.!If you choose to 
voluntarily consent for your blood to continue to be stored for future testing, please check the yes box and sign 
below. If you choose for your blood to not be stored for future testing, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to have my blood that was collected for this study stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                            that the my identity will not be able to be known. 
 
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I have received a copy of this consent. 
Date___________________  
 
Subject’s Name_________________________________________ 
     
Subject’s Signature______________________________________                    
 
 Parental Signature (if subject is a minor) ____________________________________ 
Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) Consent 
Because the patient is unable to sign due to the nature of his/her illness, I am the legal guardian representing 
his/her wishes regarding continued participation in this study.  I have had the opportunity to ask questions. If I 
have questions about the research, I may contact one of the Investigators listed on the first page.  If I have any 
questions about the patient’s rights as a research subject, I can call the [name of local IRB/REB and phone 
number]. 
The patient was enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject or the subject’s legally authorized 
representative can be obtained.   
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop the patient’s being a part of this study at any time. If 
you choose to stop the patient’s taking part in this study, no additional information will be collected. The 
information collected up to the time you chose to stop the patient’s participation will remain in the research 
database and will be included in the data analysis. The information we collect for the study is coded to protect 
privacy. The patient will not be personally identified in any reports. 
 
If you choose to voluntarily consent for the patient to continue in this study, please check the yes box and sign 
below. If you choose to withdraw the patient from taking part in this study, please check the no box and sign 
below.  
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree for him/her to continue to participate in this study including participating in a phone 
                call survey 6 months after his/her injury to assess my recovery. 
  
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head injury blood clotting factors.!If you choose to voluntarily 
consent for the patient’s blood to continue to be stored for future testing, please check the yes box and sign 
below. If you choose for the patient’s blood to not be stored for future testing, please check the no box and sign 
below.  
 
 
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€ Yes     € No     I agree to have his/her blood that was used for this study to be stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                            that the patient’s identity will not be able to be known. 
 
I have received a copy of this consent. 
Date______________  
Legally Authorized Representative_________________________________ 
                   
Signature Legally Authorized Representative______________________________________ 
For subjects and/or LAR who are unable to read and/or sign, I witness this consent. 
Date__________________    
 
Witness Name__________________________________________ 
                                            
Witness Signature_________________________________________ 
Subject Consent Form if LAR or family previously consented or the subject is a minor and assent is 
obtained prior to hospital discharge:  
 
 
You were enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject’s legally authorized representative can be 
obtained.   
 
 
 
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop being a part of this study at any time. If you choose to 
stop taking part in this study, no additional information will be collected. The information collected up to the 
time you chose to stop being in the study will remain in the research database and will be included in the data 
analysis. The information we collect for the study is coded to protect privacy. You will not be personally 
identified in any reports. 
 
This document contains the consent form signed by your legally authorized representative for your review. The 
consent form describes the study, (purpose, procedures, risks, benefits) in detail. Please feel free to ask any 
questions about this study or the consent form.  
 
If you choose to voluntarily consent continue in this study, please check the yes box and sign below. If you 
choose to stop taking part in this study, please check the no box and sign below.  
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€ Yes     € No     I agree to continue to participate in this study including participating in a phone 
                call survey 6 months after my injury to assess my recovery. 
 
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head and blood clotting factors.!If you choose to voluntarily 
consent for your blood to continue to be stored for future testing, please check the yes box and sign below. If 
you choose for your blood to not be stored for future testing, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to have my blood that was used for this study to be stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                           that my identity will not be able to be known. 
 
I have received a copy of the consent signed by my parent (if subject is a minor) or my Legally Authorized 
Representative and a copy of this Subject Consent Form. 
 
 
Subject Name:   ________________________ 
 
 
Subject’s Signature __________________________________    Date/Time _______________ 
 
 
Witness Signature ___________________________________  Date/Time ________________ 
 
CC: Subject’s Medical Record 
       Subject 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sample TXA Notification of Participation letter to family of subjects who died 
during the study 
 
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
________________________________________________________________________________ 
Month date, year 
 
Dear [_________], 
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We understand this letter may come at a time that is difficult for your family and we offer our condolences for 
your loss. We are aware a death is often an unexpected event and may have devastating personal 
consequences. 
 
We want to inform you of the treatment your [son, daughter, husband, wife, (enter name)] received by [name of 
EMS service and hospital] from [month/date] through [month, date, year].  We want to assure you that your 
family member received the best medical care currently practiced for the treatment of traumatic injury. In 
addition to the standard treatments for trauma, your family member was entered into a research study. We are 
writing you now to inform you that this occurred. This was done without [his/her] prior consent because 
[he/she] required emergency care that could not be delayed to allow adequate consideration of informed 
consent.  
 
This study was reviewed and approved by [insert name of IRB/REB]  
 
[For those patients who died prior to having blood obtained for this research study, insert the following 
statement.] 
No further action on your part is required.  
 
[For those patients who had at least one blood sample obtained for this research study, insert the following 
statement.] 
Information about the study is included with this letter entitled: Study Information Sheet – Prehospital 
Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury. 
 
 
[Insert name of physician] is the physician responsible for the study in [Insert site/hospital name]. If you have 
any questions about the study, please contact us at the number provided or by contacting us at the address 
below: 
 [(xxx) yyy-yyyy]  
 [address]  
 
If you would like support and counseling for coping with your loss, you may call [Insert name and contact info 
of help line] 
 
We apologize for this intrusion.  
 
Respectfully, 
 
[Name, title, address, and contact information] 
 
 
 
 
 
Study Information Sheet 
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
 
 
Your family member was treated for injuries including a traumatic brain injury at [name of institution]. When 
he/she was being treated in the accident scene and in the emergency department, he/she was unconscious 
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and/or unable to reliably talk with us about his/her wishes. During this time your family member was enrolled in 
a study called “Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury”. 
 
An Institutional Review Board (IRB)!or Canadian Research Ethics Boards (REB) at the [name of institution] has 
given us permission to do this study in which subjects are enrolled without their consent. This process is called 
exception from informed consent for emergency research. 
 
The purpose of this study is to determine if Tranexamic Acid (TXA) can help stop or slow the bleeding in the 
head after a traumatic injury compared to routine care. In this study subjects are randomly assigned (like 
flipping a coin) to get 1 of 2 doses of TXA or placebo, which is a salt water solution with no active medication. 
The dose of TXA is either an early dose of 2 grams TXA followed by placebo drip for 8 hours or split dose of 1 
gram TXA followed by 1 gram TXA drip for 8 hours or placebo dose followed by placebo drip for 8 hours. 
 
If time permitted, we may have collected and shipped blood samples to the Trauma Research Institute of 
Oregon, Oregon Health & Sciences University for research purposes and looked at information in their medical 
record; this information was recorded. The study is being done throughout the United States and Canada by an 
emergency medicine network called the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC), of which Dr. [enter PI 
name here] is a member. This study is funded by grants received from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, 
US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), and other funding agencies.  
 
Your family member’s participation in this study will help us to better understand trauma patients who 
experience traumatic brain injury and how we can improve the care of future trauma patients. Our study 
evaluates the usual care and procedures routinely performed in emergency centers throughout the United 
States and Canada. If you would like to know more about the study please contact [name of coordinator]] 
 
If you would like to discuss any of this further, please contact [Dr name] the doctor responsible for the study or 
the Research Nurse at [number here]. Also for information on a research subject’s rights and on how these 
studies are approved you can contact the [enter institution name here] Human subjects division at [enter 
contact information here].  
 
A description of this clinical trial will be available on http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, as required by U.S. 
Law.  This Web site will not include information that can identify you.  At most, the Website will include a 
summary of the results.  You can search this Website at any time. 
 
Consent for Blood to be Stored for Future Testing 
The patient was enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject or the subject’s legally authorized 
representative can be obtained.   
 
 
 
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop the patient’s being a part of this study at any time.  
 
The patient’s blood that was collected is being stored for future testing related to head injury and blood clotting 
factors. If you choose to voluntarily consent for the patient’s blood to continue to be stored for future testing, 
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please check the yes box and sign below. If you choose for the patient’s blood to not be stored for future 
testing, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to have his/her blood that was used for this study to be stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                            that his/her identity will not be able to be known. 
 
 
Date______________  
 
Legally Authorized Representative (LAR)_________________________________ 
                     
Signature Legally Authorized Representative______________________________________ 
 
For LAR who are unable to read and/or sign, I witness this consent. 
 
Date__________________    
 
Witness Name__________________________________________ 
                                            
Witness Signature_________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Appendix 3 
Amendment 1: Ancillary IRB Protocol and Consent 
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Blood-Based Biomarkers of Injury and Outcome in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
 
A. BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE 
The public health implications of TBI cannot be overstated. At least 1.7 million people suffer TBI every year 
in the United States and over 50,000 people die.1 There are currently approximately 5.3 million people living in 
the U.S. that require long-term or even lifelong assistance due to TBI resulting in annual direct and indirect 
costs of over $76 billion.2-4 TBI also has a major impact on combat casualties and has been labeled the 
‘signature wound’ of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, representing an estimated 15-25% of all injuries sustained 
in 21st-century conflicts.5-7 Severe TBI is one of the leading causes of death in injured warfighters with a 
mortality of approximately 70%.8 Although our understanding of the pathophysiology of TBI has recently 
improved, these advances have failed to translate into a single successful clinical trial, and effective treatment 
of TBI remains one of the greatest unmet needs in public health.3 
In addition to lack of adequate methods for identifying and quantifying brain injury, establishing a reliable 
prognosis early after TBI is notoriously difficult. The International Mission on Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical 
Trials in TBI (IMPACT) utilized prospectively collected individual patient data from several trials in moderate or 
severe TBI to develop prognostic models from data available at admission.9,10 The strongest predictors of 
outcome were age, pupillary reactivity and GCS motor score (IMPACT Core Model score).11 Performance of 
the model improved by adding both CT characteristics and secondary insults (hypotension and hypoxia) to the 
Core Model (IMPACT Extended Model Score).12,13 The IMPACT Lab Model Score further improved upon the 
model by adding laboratory parameters (glucose and hemoglobin).14 These prognostic models are considered 
to provide adequate discrimination between patients with good and poor 6-month outcomes and are currently 
used in clinical practice to provide prognosis prediction to families of TBI patients. In an attempt to improve the 
predictive power of these models, the addition of brain-specific biomarkers to the model has been examined. 
Using the first biomarker level obtained after TBI, addition of GFAP and SBDP145 from 45 patients with severe 
TBI to the Core IMPACT Model was shown to increase the predictive power for 6-month lethal outcome, 
increasing the R2 from 0.214 for the Core Model alone to 0.700.15 
Immediately after moderate or severe TBI, excitotoxic, ischemic, oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic 
pathways are activated, resulting in neuronal and glial cell injury and death.16 Although numerous proteins are 
released from the injured brain into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and systemic circulation that could potentially 
be used as markers of cell damage after TBI, few have been characterized well enough for direct clinical use.17 
Unlike other organ-based diseases such as myocardial ischemia in which rapid serum-based biomarkers are 
invaluable to guide diagnosis and treatment, there are currently no definitive diagnostic neurochemical markers 
for quantification of the degree of injury after TBI, and the paucity of well-validated biomarkers for TBI remains 
a major limitation to the advancement of novel treatment approaches that could improve care. 
An ideal biomarker for TBI should be specific (exclusively found in the brain and accurately reflect the 
extent of brain injury), sensitive (highly abundant and easily detectable), and should measure therapeutic 
efficacy (reflect successful therapeutic intervention). There is a rapidly growing number of molecules that have 
been tested as potential biomarkers of TBI, however, to date no single molecule has proven sensitive and 
specific enough to be used clinically to predict the severity of brain injury or outcome after TBI. Of the 
molecules that have been tested, the best studied are neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100β protein, myelin 
basic protein, GFAP, αII-spectrin breakdown products (SBDPs), and UCH-L1.17-19 While NSE was originally 
thought to be promising as a neuronal biomarker, it was later shown to be present in red blood cells and 
platelets leading to confounded results in hemolyzed blood samples.20 Furthermore, NSE has been shown to 
be elevated in trauma in the absence of TBI.21 S100β is also found outside the CNS and is also influenced by 
extracranial injuries leading to low specificity.22 Myelin basic protein is one of the most abundant proteins in the 
white matter representing 30% of the protein content of myelin.23 While it has been studied as a marker in non- 
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accidental pediatric trauma, there is no evidence to support its use as a diagnostic biomarker for focal and 
diffuse TBI. We have chosen to examine UCH-L1, GFAP and SBDP150 in this proposal based on their ability 
to fit the criteria for an ideal biomarker defined above as well as the strength of evidence suggesting that each 
biomarker reflects specific structural injury and predicts outcome, making them highly promising candidate 
biomarkers for TBI. 
Biomarkers may provide mechanistic insight and measure treatment effect of TXA  
The interventional drug being examined in the Phase II parent trial for this study is tranexamic acid (TXA). 
TXA is an anti-fibrinolytic medication that inhibits the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin.24 There have been 
two randomized controlled trials examining the use of TXA in patients with moderate and severe TBI.25,26 Both 
trials utilized a different dosing regimen and both demonstrated statistical trends toward decreased progression 
of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and mortality in patients receiving TXA compared to placebo. As a result, the 
authors concluded that further large-scale clinical trials are needed to assess the effect of TXA on death and 
disability in patients with TBI. No studies to date have examined the pharmacokinetic profile of TXA use in TBI 
and there is currently no available method to measure therapeutic efficacy for TXA treatment in patients with 
TBI. Although biomarkers have not been previously measured in patients receiving TXA, the established 
relationship between these specific biomarkers and outcome after acute TBI suggests that they could provide a 
sound method to monitor response to treatment. Furthermore, based on the differential release patterns of 
these biomarkers and their relationship to injury pattern, relative changes in biomarker levels in response to 
treatment has the potential to provide insight into the mechanism of action of TXA in TBI, which is currently 
unknown. 
While several mechanisms have been proposed to be responsible for the lower mortality and reduction in 
ICH growth observed in clinical trials of TXA in TBI, the mechanism involved has not been examined.27 The 
design of the parent trial for this study will examine the effect of TXA on fibrinolytic and thrombin generation 
pathways to begin to understand the mechanism; however, preliminary data suggest that TXA may act by 
reducing the neurotoxic effects of plasmin, independent of its effect on fibrinolysis. Plasmin has been 
associated with potentiation of thrombin-induced neurotoxicity, degradation of the extracellular matrix, 
increased blood brain barrier permeability and development of cerebral edema.28 Importantly, recent animal 
data suggest that TXA may prevent this neurotoxicity.29,30 While neither the parent trial nor this study will be 
able to thoroughly examine the mechanism of TXA in patients with TBI, identification of the relative pattern of 
biomarker changes in this study in response to TXA treatment could provide important insight to inform future 
studies that will be undertaken with the sample repository already planned in the parent trial as well as the 
genomic and transcriptomic repository proposed in this study. 
In addition to its sensitivity and specificity, the ability of a biomarker to serve as a measure of therapeutic 
efficacy is an important criteria for it to be clinically useful. In order to interpret a biomarker response to 
treatment, an understanding of the pK profile for TXA is needed. While the pK profile for TXA following IV 
infusion has been described in other populations, it is unknown whether this is altered when TXA is 
administered via bolus or continuous infusion in patients with TBI.31-33 Additionally, the optimal TXA dosing 
regimen for patients with TBI is not known and no consensus exists about the ideal targeted plasma 
concentrations needed to inhibit fibrinolyisis. As a result, the parent clinical trial for this study was designed to 
include 2 different dosing arms of TXA compared to placebo (arm one: 1-gram bolus followed by 1-gram 
infusion; arm two: 2-gram bolus followed by placebo infusion, arm three: placebo bolus and placebo infusion). 
It is important to note that the analysis for the primary endpoint (GOS-E at 6 months) of the parent trial will be a 
comparison of both treatment arms combined compared to placebo. For these reasons, the association 
between the pK profiles, biomarker levels and clinical outcome are needed to interpret the biomarker response 
to treatment as well as to inform the results of the parent trial. As an example, if a longer half-life is shown to 
be associated with a favorable biomarker profile, this would potentially suggest a benefit for redosing or 
extending the TXA infusion period. Alternatively, if the higher maximum concentration achieved in the 2-gram 
bolus arm is associated with a favorable biomarker profile, this would help inform the most efficacious dosing 
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regimen in the future. The opportunity to examine the biomarker response in the two different dosing arms of 
this trial with the associated pK profile will enable us to  
 
determine if these candidate biomarkers can be used as a measure of treatment effect for TXA in patients with 
TBI and potentially incorporate them in a follow-up phase III trial for this purpose. 
Creation of a genomic and transcriptomic repository for future biomarker development 
While the biomarkers of structural brain injury proposed in this study are the most promising markers of TBI 
currently available, there remains an incomplete understanding of post-injury cellular and molecular changes 
after TBI.34 Examination of RNA and DNA expression is rapidly increasing the ability to examine molecular 
changes after TBI. As an example, MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that modulate protein 
expression by antagonizing mRNA translation that have a powerful role in the regulation of gene expression 
and cellular function.35 Because a single miRNA can block translation of many mRNAs, they are very potent 
regulators at the network level. Thus, global patterns of change in both the injured tissue as well as the 
circulation can be determined. Recent miRNA microarray studies indicate that pathways such as apoptosis, 
inflammation and cell proliferation are among the most commonly affected in CNS injuries, and that changes in 
these pathways are conserved across CNS injuries to stroke.36 This type of information is crucial to providing 
insight into therapeutic targets for future TBI trials. Because miRNA levels are altered after TBI and these 
changes have a profound effect on downstream targets, restoration and inhibition of miRNA activity presents 
the opportunity to modulate these cellular processes. In order to realize the potential for miRNA, validation of 
findings from animal models will need to be performed in large human samples. By creating a repository of 
miRNA, mRNA and DNA from patients with TBI very early after injury, future investigators will have the 
opportunity to further explore both miRNA-based and genome-based therapies and potentially improve 
outcome after TBI. It is important that we leverage the significant resources already committed for this large 
clinical trial now, in order to support a broad-range of studies in the future that could lead to potentially lead to 
new biomarkers and new treatment targets for TBI. 
 
B. SPECIFIC AIMS 
Specific Aim 1: To determine if initial values, or trends in serially measured circulating brain-specific 
biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) are associated with the presence of intracranial hemorrhage 
(ICH), TBI pattern and severity, and long-term outcome after moderate or severe acute TBI. 
Hypothesis 1.1: Elevated biomarker levels measured within 2 hours of TBI are associated with ICH on initial 
computed tomography (CT) scan and less favorable Rotterdam and Marshall CT classification scores. 
Hypothesis 1.2: Biomarkers that remain elevated or subsequently increase during the first 48 hours after injury 
are associated with ICH progression and a less favorable outcome as measured by the GOS-E at 6 months. 
The primary aim examines whether elevated biomarker levels accurately identify the presence of ICH, as 
well as the specific pattern (focal versus diffuse) and severity of TBI. It will also determine if sustained 
biomarker levels or an increasing trajectory of early biomarker levels reflect worsening ICH and unfavorable 
outcome. These data would be extremely valuable to determine clinically relevant endpoints including 
identification of appropriate patients for inclusion into clinical TBI trials and targeting patients for more intensive 
intervention.  
 
Specific Aim 2: To determine if circulating brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) are 
associated with treatment arm allocation, serum TXA level, and long-term outcome as measured by the 
GOS-E 6 months after injury in moderate or severe acute TBI. 
Hypothesis 2.1: In TXA treated patients compared to placebo, decreased circulating biomarkers measured 
serially during the first 48 hours after TBI are associated with a favorable long-term outcome.  
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Hypothesis 2.2: In TXA treated patients, serum TXA levels are inversely associated with circulating biomarkers 
and directly associated with long-term outcome. 
 
 
 
 
 
The secondary aim examines whether serum TXA levels are associated with circulating biomarkers. If early 
biomarker levels are shown to be a measure of treatment response, this would inform future treatment 
paradigms for the use of TXA in TBI. By identifying patients who benefit most from TXA treatment and 
quantifying the treatment response, these biomarkers could impact treatment decisions. Knowledge of the 
pharmacokinetic and biomarker profiles associated with a favorable outcome would help establish the optimal 
dosing regimen for future clinical trials, including a follow-up phase III trial to the Prehospital Tranexamic Acid 
Use for Traumatic Brain Injury (Prehospital TXA for TBI) Trial. 
 
Specific Aim 3: To determine if circulating brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) 
improve long-term outcome prediction after moderate or severe acute TBI. 
Hypothesis 3: Elevated circulating biomarkers measured within 2 hours of TBI improve outcome prediction as 
measured by the Disability Rating Scale (DRS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) at 6 months. 
The tertiary aim incorporates biomarker and clinical data obtained early after injury in patients enrolled in 
the control arm of a large prehospital clinical trial to determine if adding biomarkers to the well-validated 
IMPACT core model (including age, GCS motor score, pupillary reactivity) improves 6-month outcome 
prediction. This would provide a basis to inform treatment decisions and inclusion criteria for enrollment in 
future clinical trials. 
In addition to the aims above, we propose to leverage the resources of this large clinical trial to create a 
genomic and transcriptomic specimen repository from sequential time points very early after injury in patients 
enrolled in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial. This unique repository from patients with moderate or severe TBI 
will allow future examination of systemic genomic and transcriptomic changes that occur after TBI. Future 
studies resulting from this repository have the potential to provide diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic 
insight that would significantly advance the understanding of the pathophysiology of TBI. 
 
C. INNOVATION 
The Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial is the first large clinical trial to randomize patients to receive a potential 
therapeutic drug for moderate or severe TBI in the prehospital setting within 2 hours of injury. Approximately 
1000 patients will be enrolled at 10 centers across the US and Canada under an FDA Exception from Informed 
Consent to determine if early administration of TXA is effective for improving outcome measured 6 months 
after injury. Because patients will be randomized by first-responders at the injury scene and followed for 6 
months, this provides a unique opportunity to validate the most promising brain-specific serum biomarkers. 
This will be the first study to prospectively examine the diagnostic and prognostic value of circulating brain-
specific biomarkers measured very early after injury in patients enrolled in the prehospital setting of a large 
randomized controlled trial of moderate and severe TBI. While studies have shown that biomarkers of 
structural brain injury measured in serum are associated with outcome after TBI, they are not yet established 
for clinical use to reliably detect and assess the degree of brain injury or predict outcome. With this study we 
will be able to refine the diagnosis of TBI to enable early identification of specific patterns of brain 
injury that can be linked to appropriate therapeutic interventions for targeted inclusion into clinical 
trials. Furthermore, we may expand upon existing prediction models to support both clinical practice 
and TBI research, including the design and analysis of randomized trials. In addition, we may also for 
the first time establish brain-specific biomarkers as an effective method of monitoring response to 
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treatment in TBI that could have widespread use both clinically and in interventional TBI trials. Each of 
these aims will contribute to the success of future clinical trials in TBI including the follow-up phase III trial of 
the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial. Finally, by leveraging the resources of this large clinical trial to obtain 
specimens very early after injury, we will create the first large repository integrating genomic and transcriptomic 
information with comprehensive clinical, laboratory and imaging data from patients with moderate and severe 
TBI. This repository will serve to expand TBI related research to support new biomarker development as well 
as a broad range of studies that will significantly advance our understanding of the pathophysiology of TBI. 
 
 
 
D. STUDY DESIGN 
The proposed study to examine the relationship between serum levels of biomarkers of structural brain 
injury and clinical outcome will be carried out in the cohort of approximately 1000 patients with moderate and 
severe TBI enrolled in the Prehospital TXA for TBI clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01990768). This 
clinical trial will be conducted using the infrastructure of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC). ROC 
is a multicenter network funded by federal organizations in the United States and Canada (including the DoD 
and NHLBI) to conduct clinical trials targeting cardiac arrest and life-threatening trauma.37 The Prehospital 
Tranexamic Acid for Traumatic Brain Injury Trial will be the 11th prehospital randomized trial conducted by 
ROC and the third trial in patients with TBI. The following is a brief overview of the trial. 
The Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II multicenter trial in 
which approximately 1000 patients with moderate or severe TBI will be randomized (1:1:1) to one of three 
arms: 
• 
1-gram TXA prehospital bolus followed by an in-hospital 1-gram 8 hour infusion 
• 
2-gram TXA prehospital bolus followed by an in-hospital placebo infusion 
• 
Placebo prehospital bolus followed by an in-hospital placebo infusion 
The following are the primary inclusion criteria and outcome measures for the parent trial: 
Inclusion criteria: 
• 
Blunt and penetrating traumatic mechanism of injury consistent with TBI  
• 
Prehospital GCS ≤ 12 prior to administration of sedative and/or paralytic agents with at least one 
reactive pupil 
• 
Pre-hospital systolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg 
• 
Estimated time from injury to hospital arrival of < 2 hours 
Primary outcome: 
• 
Disability at 6 months based on the GOS-E  
Secondary outcomes: 
• 
Clinical outcomes: neurologic outcome at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days 
• 
Radiographic outcomes: intracranial hemorrhage progression, Marshall CT and Rotterdam CT 
classification scores 
• 
Safety outcomes (seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction, deep venous 
thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) 
• 
Mechanistic outcomes (coagulation pathway mediator analysis and viscoelastic testing using 
thromboelastography [TEG]) 
Integration of this biomarker study with the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
The inclusion criteria for this study will be the same as the inclusion criteria for the Prehospital TXA for TBI 
clinical trial. Eligible patients must be at least 15 years old and have a GCS of 12 or less with at least one 
reactive pupil. Patients with hypotension, cardiopulmonary arrest or seizures prior to randomization will be 
excluded. The Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial will enroll patients in the prehospital setting and precludes the 
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ability to obtain informed consent at the time of enrollment. The trial qualifies for the “Exception From Informed 
Consent Required for Emergency Research” outlined in FDA regulation 21CFR50.24. The Institutional Review 
Board (IRB) for the ROC Clinical Trials Center at the University Of Washington has reviewed and approved the 
informed consent procedures for the parent trial. Additional sites (including the OHSU Clinical Site and Clinical 
Coordinating Center) have contingent IRB approval and are ready to begin community consultation. The 
remaining clinical sites are in the process of obtaining IRB approval. In order to seamlessly integrate the 
biomarker component of the protocol into the parent study, it has been incorporated into the required 
community consultation presentations. Consent for this ancillary study will be incorporated as follows: 
Consent for non-genetic biomarker tests 
The parent TXA Study consent includes language that allows for future use of blood to be collected (non-
genetic). No additional specimen collection or consent is needed for the brain-specific biomarkers and the pK 
studies as outlined in the specific aims. 
Consent for the genomic and transcriptomic repository 
A separate consent and additional blood collection is required for creation of the genomic and transcriptomic 
specimen repository. A consent form has been created that specifically relates to this repository and is 
separate from the overall TXA study consent. Participation in both studies will have two consent forms. 
Recruitment timeline for the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
Recruitment in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial is anticipated to begin in October 2014 based on 
completion of Community Consultation activities at each site. The trial is expected to enroll 1002 patients at 10 
clinical sites over a one-year period. Since all required regulatory and community consultation and notification 
for this ancillary study will be in place prior to funding, if funded during the current NIH cycle with this expedited 
funding timeline beginning December 1st 2014, enrollment for this study will approximately coincide with the 
beginning of enrollment for the parent trial. This will allow full biomarker and pK analyses as these samples will 
be collected as part of the parent trial. Depending on the start of the trial, the maximum number of patients 
eligible for the genomic and transcriptomic samples will range between 730 (based on an October 1st trial start 
date) and 886 (based on a November 1st start date). This will ensure a robust sample size for establishing the 
repository. 
Time points for sample collection 
We will use the biomarker levels obtained from the earliest time point (arrival to the ED) based on our 
preliminary data that showed a strong correlation between early biomarker measurements and outcome. 
Based on data from the ROC Hypertonic Saline Study, we anticipate that most of the initial blood samples will 
be obtained approximately 90 minutes after TBI.38 We will also measure biomarker levels at 6, 12, 24, and 48 
hours to examine the evolution of biomarker release in relation to outcome. We will measure the TXA pK 
profile at these same time points as the biomarker profile will be important in determining the response to TXA 
treatment. This will also help determine whether the effect of TXA treatment can be monitored by measuring 
biomarker levels during the first 48 hours after TBI, potentially establishing biomarkers as a routine method of 
determining effective treatment and guiding decisions related to additional interventions. 
Sample collection 
Biomarker and pK sample analysis will be done on blood already being collected as part of the main 
protocol. As a requirement for participation in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial, all sites will have research 
coordinators on-site 24 hours per day to ensure the initial blood sample is obtained as soon as possible after 
ED arrival, and to ensure the in-hospital TXA dose is administered in a timely fashion. All attempts will be 
made to obtain study samples at the pre-specified time intervals. Samples at times 0, 6, and 12 hours must be 
collected within +/- 30 minutes. Sampling at 24 and 48 hours will be collected within +/- 2 hours. In the event 
that samples cannot be collected in this time frame, documentation regarding the reason will be noted on the 
data collection forms. In addition to samples collected as part of the parent study, each subject will provide one 
blood sample collected in a PAXgene tube (2.5 mL) for RNA stabilization on arrival to the Emergency 
Department (time 0) and 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after study randomization. Another sample (3.0 mL) will be 
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collected in an Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD) tube for preservation of genetic material at admission. All samples 
drawn for research purposes will be identified by the study number, the site identification number and date/time 
of collection. No personal identifying information will be included on the samples processed for research 
purposes. Samples from participating sites will be frozen, batched, and shipped to the OHSU Clinical 
Coordinating Center. OHSU will be the repository guardian for the samples and results. The procedures for 
collection for all samples including DNA and RNA preservation are currently being incorporated into the 
Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial Manual of Operations. Procedures for DNA and RNA specimen collection and 
processing will follow the “NINDS Repository Biomarkers Discovery Samples Resource Laboratory Manual 
Guidelines.”39 The OHSU Clinical Coordinating Center will manage initial sample storage and tracking. 
Samples for biomarker analysis will be shipped in batch to Dr. Papa’s laboratory at Orlando Regional Medical 
Center. Specimens will be transported to the OHSU Bioanalytical Shared Resource/Pharmacokinetics Core for 
TXA pK analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. PAXgene (mRNA and miRNA) and 
ACD (DNA) collection vials will be transported to the Integrated Genomics Laboratory at OHSU for creation of 
the repository. 
 
 
 
Biomarker assays 
Banyan has extensive experience in assay development and validation including expertise in developing 
high-affinity antibodies to proteins. For the UCH-L1 assay, a mouse monoclonal antibody (as capture antibody) 
and a rabbit polyclonal antibody (as detection antibody) are used in combination with a commercially available 
anti-rabbit IgG-HRP (Amersham) as labeling antibody. The capture and detection antibody have been 
developed to full-length recombinant human UCH-L1 protein. A detailed description of the assay methods has 
been published by Dr. Papa.40 The GFAP and SBDP150 assays follow an identical outline, but employ different 
biomarker-specific capture and detection antibodies. For the GFAP assay, a mouse monoclonal antibody (as 
capture antibody) and rabbit polyclonal antibody (as detection antibody) are used. Capture and detection 
antibodies were generated to full-length human recombinant GFAP. The SBDP150 assay uses a goat 
polyclonal antibody as capture antibody and a mouse monoclonal horseradish peroxidase conjugated antibody 
as detection antibody. 
TXA pK profile analysis 
Two separate cohorts for the pK analysis will be established as described below: 
Extensive sampling cohort 
The first 100 patients enrolled at the OHSU clinical site will have blood drawn at the following time points 
based on the prehospital bolus TXA dose: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, and 48hrs. This will enable a robust pK 
profile to be established with greater confidence in estimated pK parameters. Serum will be isolated within 1 
hour of blood collection, frozen, and shipped to the OHSU shared Bioanalytical Core Laboratory for quantifying 
serum TXA levels using a highly sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay. 
Serum levels will be fitted against time to construct pK profiles and estimate PK parameters. The following PK 
parameters will be generated: area under the curve from time 0 to 48 hour (AUC0-48), AUC from 0 to infinity 
(AUC0-∞), maximum concentration (Cmax), time to Cmax (Tmax), half-life (t1/2), clearance (CL/F), volume of 
distribution (Vd/F). 
Limited sampling cohort 
Samples will be obtained from 5 time points for all patients (arrival to ED, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after study 
randomization). This limited sampling scheme will enable an estimate of PK parameters (with less confidence 
than in the extensive sampling group), with the exception of t1/2 which will remain robust. Analyses will focus on 
the extensive sampling cohort with the exception of t1/2 which will be extended to all subjects.  
 
 
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E. ANALYSIS PLAN 
 
Analysis plan for the aims of this study: 
Hypothesis 1.1: Elevated biomarkers measured within 2 hours of TBI more accurately predict ICH and 
brain injury pattern and severity on initial computed tomography (CT) scan than GCS. 
 
As preliminary analyses, we will use logistic regression to examine whether initial levels of brain-specific 
biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) are associated with the presence of ICH on initial CT scan in subjects 
in the placebo arm. In patients with evidence of brain injury (Marshall score >1), we will also examine the 
association with mass lesions vs diffuse injury. 
To examine whether initial brain-specific biomarker levels (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) improve upon GCS 
in predicting presence of injury, we will create Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves that describe 
the sensitivity and specificity profiles of each individual biomarkers for predicting the presence of ICH on initial 
CT scan. We will compute the area under the ROC curve (AUC) as a summary measure of the predictive 
ability of each biomarker and compare it to the AUC based on the GCS alone. A confidence interval for the 
difference in AUCs will be computed using Delong’s method.41 
 
 
To examine whether combinations of the initial brain-specific biomarker levels (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) 
improves upon GCS or whether one or more of these biomarkers together with GCS improves upon the GCS 
alone in predicting presence of injury or injury pattern, we will adopt a 10-fold cross-validation approach42 to 
develop multivariable predictive models based on combinations of biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers 
and GCS. Levels of the three biomarkers and the GCS will be candidate variables in these models, which will 
relate the probability of ICH outcome, p, to biomarkers and GCS and possibly their interactions x1, … xn, as 
follows: log(p/(1-p)) = b0 + b1x1 + … + b4xn. 
Without the need to reserve a separate validation data set, ten-fold cross-validation reduces the optimistic 
bias inherent in evaluating the AUC based on the same data used to fit the model since the evaluations 
depend on the tent of the data not used to fit the model. We will pick the best predictive model size based on 
the maximal cross-validated AUC estimate, and our final predictive model will be based on the model of this 
size that maximizes the likelihood for the full sample. Secondary analyses to obtain models with high clinical 
utility will use this same cross-validation approach to identify and evaluate good tree-based models using 
classification and regression tree (CART) methodology.43 We will also fit the predictive model to all subjects in 
the three treatment arms, and examine interaction terms that allow for different associations in the different 
arms. If no significant interactions are detected, we will develop a single predictive model using data from 
subjects in all treatment arms combined. 
Hypothesis 1.2: Biomarkers that remain elevated or subsequently increase during the first 48 hours 
after injury are associated with ICH progression and an increased 28-day mortality. 
Additional goals under Specific Aim 1 are to examine whether there are associations between trends in 
serial biomarker levels during the first 48 hours after injury and two outcomes: ICH progression and 28-day 
mortality. To examine these relationships we will treat the biomarker level as the outcome and use linear mixed 
models to account for the correlation of the multiple biomarker measurements within subjects. The mixed 
models will allow us to test whether both types of clinical measures are associated within-subject biomarker 
mean levels and slopes over time. 
Hypothesis 2.1: In TXA treated patients compared to placebo, decreased biomarkers measured serially 
during the first 48 hours after TBI are associated with a favorable long-term outcome.  
Preliminary analyses will use linear mixed models, as above, to examine whether treatment group is 
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related to mean levels and subject-specific slopes in serial measurements of brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, 
UCH-L1, SBDP150) over the first 48 hours after injury. We will also examine whether favorable outcome of 
GOS-E at six months is related to mean levels and slopes in biomarkers within 48 hours of injury.  
Hypothesis 2.2: In TXA treated patients, serum TXA levels are inversely associated with circulating 
biomarker levels and directly associated with long-term outcome. 
In TXA-treated patients, we will use linear mixed models to examine whether pharmacokinetic (pK) 
parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax, T½, clearance, and Vd) are associated with mean levels and slopes of serial 
levels of brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) during the first 48 hours after injury. Interaction 
terms with treatment group will allow us to test whether these associations differ by dosing regimen. We will 
also use logistic regression to examine whether pK parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax, t½, clearance, and Vd) in 
the two dose groups are associated with favorable clinical outcome at six months based on the GOS-E. We will 
then (with interaction terms) examine whether these associations differ by dosing regimen. 
Subsequent analyses will examine the extent to which serial biomarker levels during the first 48 hours after 
injury explain the association between PK parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax, t½, clearance, and Vd) and 6-
month GOS-E among those treated with TXA, and to what extent they explain the association between 
treatment group (placebo, bolus-only, and bolus plus infusion) and 6-month GOS-E. Taking the treatment 
group comparison as the example, we will fit logistic regression models relating dummy variables for the two 
treatment groups to the outcome of 6-month GOS-E < 5 both with and without adjustment for serial biomarker 
levels. We will then compare adjusted and unadjusted results from these models to estimate whether an 
important proportion of the treatment differences are explained by the biomarker levels. One minus the ratios 
of these two coefficients will  
 
be used to estimate the proportion of the estimated association that is explained by the biomarkers. 
Confidence intervals for these explained proportions will be obtained using the bootstrap.44 Similar analyses 
will examine to what extent the biomarkers explain the pK parameter- 6-month GOSE associations, after 
adjustment for and possible interaction with dosing regimen. 
Hypothesis 3: Elevated circulating biomarkers measured within 2 hours of TBI improve outcome 
prediction as measured by the DRS and GOS-E at 6 months. 
Among controls, we will relate initial brain-specific biomarker levels (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) to poor 
clinical outcome (GOS-E < 5) at six months by fitting logistic regression models. Using single-variable linear 
logistic models, preliminary descriptive analyses will compute the crude OR for poor outcome associated with a 
one standard deviation difference in the biomarker and a 95% confidence interval. 
To develop a multivariable predictive logistic model including brain-specific biomarkers that might improve 
upon the IMPACT Core Model,9,10 we will adopt a 10-fold cross-validation approach like the one to be used 
under the analysis for Specific Aim 1. All variables in the IMPACT Core model together with initial values of 
GFAP, UCH-L1, and SBDP150 and all squares of continuous variables two-way interactions between variables 
will be candidate variables for this model. As for analyses under Specific Aim 1, model size will be chosen by 
cross-validation, and the best final predictive model of that size will be identified from all the control-group 
subjects. Secondary analyses to obtain models with high clinical utility will also use this cross-validation 
approach to identify and evaluate good tree-based models using CART methodology. 
As an exploratory analysis, we will also fit our predictive model to the combined data including control-arm 
and treatment-arm subjects, and allow interactions between TXA treatment (placebo, bolus-only, and bolus 
plus infusion) and all variables in the predictive model from controls. Significant interaction terms in these 
models could be used to generate hypotheses about the types of patients who benefit most from treatment for 
examination in future trials. If no significant interactions are detected, we will develop a single predictive model 
to data from subjects in all treatment arms combined. 
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Sample size justification 
The sample size for primary analyses for the TXA clinical trial is 963 eligible patients (321 per group) 
assuming (based on the ROC Hypertonic Saline (HS) Trial)38 4% of the 1002 target enrollment will have the 
treatment kit opened and not given. Based on prior experience in subjects with severe TBI (GCS ≤ 8) from the 
same clinical sites and hospitals for the TXA trial (that participated in the HS trial), head CT scans were 
obtained for more than 95% of subjects. In this cohort between 59% and 88% of subjects had a Marshall score 
> 1 (depending on site). We anticipate slightly lower rates in the TXA trial based on the eligibility criteria 
including both moderate and severe TBI (GCS ≤ 12). To calculate the power we will have to determine if a 
biomarker combined with GCS improves upon GCS alone as a predictor of ICH, we simulated the power to 
detect odds ratios for the association of a one standard deviation higher biomarker value in a logistic model 
that also includes GCS based on a control-group sample size of .90 × 321 = 289. Under a variety of 
correlations between GCS and biomarker ranging from +/- .1 to +/-.5, ORs for the association of a 1 SD lower 
GCS ranging from 1.2 to 2.0, and average probabilities of ICH ranging from .6 to .8, we consistently had 80% 
power or more to detect an OR of 1.5 associated with a one SD higher biomarker value (in some settings we 
had more than 80% power to detect an odds ratio of 1.4). These are consistent with ORs associated with these 
biomarkers that have been found in a number of smaller studies.45-48 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
References Cited 
 
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10. Panczykowsi DM, Puccio AM, Scruggs BJ et al.  Prospective independent validation of IMPACT modeling 
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14. Van Beek JG, Mushkudiani NA, Steyerberg EW et al.  Prognostic value of admission laboratory parameters 
in traumatic brain injury: results from the IMPACT study.  J Neurotraum. 2007;24:315-328. 
15. Czeiter E, Mondello, S, Kovacs N et al.  Brain injury biomarkers may improve the predictive power of the 
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Antioxid Redox Signal. 2013;19:836-853. 
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19. Svetlov SI,  Larner SF, Kirk DR et al.  Biomarkers of blast-induced neurotrauma: profiling molecular and 
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30. Greenidge AR, Hall KR, Hambleton IR et al.  Plasmin activation of glial cells through protease-activated 
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31. Eriksson O, Kjellman H, Pilbrant A et al.  Pharmacokinetics of tranexamic acid after intravenous 
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32. Sharma V, Fan J, Jerath A et al.  Pharmacokinetics of tranexamic acid in patients undergoing cardiac 
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33. Nilsson IM.  Clinical pharmacology of aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acids. J Clin Pathol Suppl (R Coll 
Pathol) 1980;14:41-47. 
34. Michael DB, Byers DM, Irwin LN.  Gene expression following traumatic brain injury in humans: analysis by 
microarray. J Clin Neurosci. 2005;12:284-290. 
35. Carthew RW, Sontheimer EJ.  Origins and mechanism of miRNAs and siRNAs.  Cell.  2009;136:642-655. 
36. Liu N-K, Xu X-M.  MicroRNA in central nervous system trauma and degenerative disorders.  Physiol 
Genomics. 2011;43:571-580. 
37. Hoyt DB.  Post hoc ergo propter hoc: the story of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium.  J Trauma 
Acute Care Surg. 2013;74:8-16. 
38. Bulger EM, May S, Brasel KJ et al.  Out-of-hospital hypertonic resuscitation following severe traumatic 
brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.  JAMA. 2010;304:1455-1464. 
39. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). NINDS repository biomarkers discovery 
samples resource. 
http://fitbir.nih.gov/assets/NINDS_Repository_Biomarkers_Discovery_Samples_Resource_Manual.pdf. 
Accessed May 20, 2014. 
40. Papa L, Akinyi L, Liu MC et al.  Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase is a novel biomarker in humans for severe 
traumatic brain injury. Crit Care Med. 2010; 38:138-144. 
41. DeLong ER, DeLong DM, Clarke-Pearson DL.  Comparing the areas under two or more correlated receiver 
operating characteristic curves: a nonparametric approach.  Biometrics. 1988;44:837-845. 
42. Hastie T, Tibshirani R, Friedman J. The elements of statistical learning: data mining, inference, and 
prediction.  2nd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2009. 
43. Breiman L, Friedman J, Stone CJ et al.  Classification and regression trees.  New York: Chapman and 
Hall/CRC, 1984. 
44. Efron B, Tibshirani RJ.  An introduction to the bootstrap.  Boca Raton, FL:CRC Press; 1994. 
45. Mondello S, Akinyi L, Buki A et al.  Clinical utility of serum levels of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase as a 
biomarker for severe traumatic brain injury.  Neurosurgery. 2012;70:666-675. 
46. Mondello S, Papa L, Buki A et al.  Neuronal and glial markers are differently associated with computed 
tomography findings and outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a case control study.  Crit 
Care. 2011;15:R156. 
47. Jauch EC, Lindsell C, Broderick J et al.  Association of serial biochemical markers with acute ischemic 
stroke: the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen 
Activator Stroke Study.  Stroke. 2006;37:2508-2513. 
48. Papa L, Ramia MM, Kelly JM et al.  Systematic review of clinical research on biomarkers for pediatric 
traumatic brain injury.  J Neurotraum. 2013;30:324-328. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Sample – Genetics Consent/Notification 
 
[Insert name of institution] 
 
Continued Participation Consent/Notification Form 
 
Blood-based Biomarkers of Brain Injury and Clinical Outcome in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
 
Investigators 
 
[List name, title and phone numbers] 
 
Sample – Genetic Clinical Research Consent and Authorization Form 
 
 
PURPOSE: 
 
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“You” throughout this document refers either to yourself, as the patient, or the person for whom you are the 
legally authorized representative (LAR). You have been invited to be in this research study because you have 
a traumatic brain injury and were enrolled in the Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
study. The purpose of this study is to better understand if changes in brain chemicals in those with traumatic 
brain injury are associated with certain genes. We will investigate genetic factors that may affect how the brain 
reacts to traumatic injury. We hope that this information will allow us to better understand how genes affect a 
person’s response to traumatic brain injury.  
 
If a gene or genes can be found, treatment of traumatic brain injury may be improved.  
 
Genes are the units of DNA--the chemical structure carrying your genetic information--that determine many 
human characteristics such as the color of your eyes, your height, and whether you are male or female. 
 
Genetic markers used to identify individual’s response to brain injury have not been identified. Improved 
identification could save millions of dollars in healthcare costs and save thousands of lives. This study is 
important to design future care of those suffering from traumatic brain injury. 
 
The blood samples provided by you will be analyzed in the laboratory to determine whether there are 
differences in the genes of people who have a traumatic brain injury. 
 
This study will enroll approximately 1000 subjects across the United States and Canada. The study will enroll 
approximately 100 subjects here at [institution name]. 
 
 
PROCEDURES: 
!
You have been enrolled in this research study because you have had a traumatic brain injury and were 
enrolled in the Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury study. Blood is drawn for genetic 
testing when you arrive at the hospital and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours if you are still in the hospital. At each time 
point, about 1 teaspoon (5.5 mL) of blood is drawn. These samples will be used to look for changes to genes 
that happen after traumatic brain injury. Your permission is needed to keep any samples collected, and to draw 
any samples not already collected. 
 
 
 
If you have any questions regarding this study now or in the future, contact [site investigator (XXX) XXX-XXXX] 
or other members of the study team at (XXX) XXX-XXXX. 
 
 
SUBJECT ACCESS TO GENETIC INFORMATION:  
 
The results of these studies will not be made available to you because the research is still in an early phase 
and the reliability of the results is unknown. 
 
If we discover new information that is important for your health care, either in this study or the future, you will 
be asked whether you wish to receive the results. You may be required to have the test repeated in a clinical 
laboratory. Because genetic information is complex and sensitive, the results should be discussed with a 
genetic counselor or your primary care giver who can answer your questions or discuss your concerns. You 
would be responsible for all costs associated with having the test repeated and visiting a doctor or genetic 
counselor to discuss the results. 
 
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RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS: 
 
If we are unable to collect a blood sample from an existing IV line, we will need to draw blood from a vein in 
your arm or hand. You may feel some pain when your blood is drawn. There is a small chance the needle will 
cause bleeding, a bruise, an infection, or fainting. 
 
Efforts will be made to keep your personal information confidential as described in the CONFIDENTIALITY 
section, but we cannot guarantee total privacy. 
 
A federal law, called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), generally makes it illegal for health 
insurance companies, group health plans, and most employers to discriminate against you based on your 
genetic information. Be aware that this federal law does not protect you against genetic discrimination by 
companies that sell life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance. GINA also does not protect 
you against discrimination if you have already been diagnosed with the genetic disease being tested. 
 
Although we have made efforts to protect your identity, there is a small risk of loss of confidentiality. If the 
results of these studies of your genetic makeup were to be accidentally released, it might be possible that the 
information we will gather about you as part of this study could become available to an insurer or an employer, 
or a relative, or someone else outside the study. Even though there are certain genetic discrimination 
protections in both Oregon law and federal law, there is still a small chance that you could be harmed if a 
release occurred. 
 
BENEFITS: 
 
You may or may not personally benefit from being in this study. However, by serving as a subject, you may 
help us learn how to benefit patients in the future.  
 
ALTERNATIVES: 
 
You may choose not to be in this study. 
 
CONFIDENTIALITY: 
 
We will take steps to keep your personal information confidential, but we cannot guarantee total privacy.  
 
 
We will create and collect health information about you as described in the Purpose and Procedures sections 
of this form. Health information is private and is protected under federal law and [state] law. By agreeing to be 
in this study, you are giving permission (also called authorization) for us to use and disclose your health 
information as described in this form. 
The investigators, study staff, and others at [site institution] may use the information we collect and create 
about you in order to conduct and oversee this research study. We may release this information to others 
outside of [site institution] who are involved in conducting or overseeing research, including: 
 
• 
The National Institute of Health (NIH) 
• 
The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) 
• 
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
• 
Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) at the University of Washington 
• 
Canadian Regulatory Agencies 
• 
An Independent Research Medical Monitor 
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We will not release information about you to others not listed above, unless required or permitted by law. We 
will not use your name or your identity for publication or publicity purposes, unless we have your special 
permission. 
 
To help protect your privacy, we have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institutes of 
Health.  With this Certificate, researchers cannot be forced to disclose information that may identify you, even 
by a court subpoena, in any federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceedings.  Researchers will use the Certificate to resist any demands for information that would identify 
you, except as explained below. 
 
The Certificate cannot be used to resist a demand for information from personnel of the United States 
Government that is used for auditing or evaluation for Federally funded projects or for information that must be 
disclosed in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
You should understand that a Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you or a member of your family 
from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your Involvement in this research.  If an insurer, 
employer, or other person obtains your written consent to receive research information, then the researchers 
may not use the Certificate to withhold that information. 
 
Exceptions: 
A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent researchers from voluntarily disclosing information about you, 
without your consent in incidents such as child abuse, and intent to harm yourself or others. 
 
Under state Law, suspected child or elder abuse must be reported to appropriate authorities. 
 
[Site institution] complies with state requirements for reporting certain diseases and conditions to local health 
departments. 
 
When we send specimens or information outside of [site institution], they may no longer be protected under 
federal or state law. In this case, your specimens or information could be used and re-released without your 
permission. 
 
Study ID numbers will be assigned to each participant. Only study IDs will be used on study related materials, 
including data and biological samples. Only the investigators and people involved in the conduct of the study 
will be authorized to link the code number to you. All study and research files will be maintained in locked files 
and destroyed at the completion of the study. Publications and presentations resulting from this study will be  
 
reported as aggregate data with no personal identifiers. No names of participants will be released unless 
written permission has been received from the study participant. 
 
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT: 
 
Samples and information about you or obtained from you in this research may be used for commercial 
purposes, such as making a discovery that could be patented or licensed to a company. There are no plans to 
pay you if this happens. You will not have any property rights or ownership or financial interest in or arising 
from products or data that may result from your participation in this study. Further, you will have no 
responsibility or liability for any use that may be made of your samples or information. 
 
COSTS: 
 
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There will be no cost to you or your insurance company to participate in this study. 
 
LIABILITY: 
 
If you believe you have been injured or harmed while participating in this research and require immediate 
treatment, contact [site investigator at (XXX) XXX-XXXX] or [site coordinator at (XXX) XXX-XXXX].  
 
This federally funded study does not have the ability to provide compensation for research-related injury. If you 
are injured or become ill from taking part in this study, it is important to tell your study doctor. Emergency 
treatment may be available but you or your insurance company will be charged for this treatment. 
 
PARTICIPATION: 
 
If you have any questions regarding your rights as a research subject, you may contact the [site institution] 
Research Integrity Office at (503) 494-7887.  
 
You do not have to join this or any research study. You do not have to allow the use and disclosure of your 
health information in the study, but if you do not, you cannot be in the study.  
 
If you do join the study and later change your mind, you have the right to quit at any time. This includes the 
right to withdraw your authorization to use and disclose your health information. If you choose not to join any or 
all parts of this study, or if you withdraw early from any or all parts of the study, there will be no penalty or loss 
of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled, including being able to receive health care services or 
insurance coverage for services. Talk to the investigator if you want to withdraw from the study. 
 
If you no longer want your health information to be used and disclosed as described in this form, you must 
send a written request or email stating that you are revoking your authorization to: 
 
Site Investigator, MD 
Site Institution 
Site Address 
Site Email 
Your request will be effective as of the date we receive it. However, health information collected before your 
request is received may continue to be used and disclosed to the extent that we have already acted based on 
your authorization.  
 
If in the future you decide you no longer want to participate in this research, we will ask for your permission to 
use the information we have collected. If you do not give permission, we will destroy the information. 
 
The samples and information we will collect from you will be stored at [site institution]. They will be stored with 
a coded identifier to protect your privacy. 
 
We will give you any new information during the course of this research study that might change the way you 
feel about being in the study. 
 
Your health care provider may be one of the investigators of this research study and, as an investigator, is 
interested in both your clinical welfare and in the conduct of this study. Before entering this study or at any time 
during the research, you may ask for a second opinion about your care from another doctor who is in no way 
involved in this project. You do not have to be in any research study offered by your physician. 
 
SIGNATURES: 
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Your signature below indicates that you have read this entire form and that you agree to be in this study.  
 
We will give you a copy of this signed form. 
 
 
Printed Name of Subject  
(If 18 or older) 
Signature of Subject  
(If 18 or older) 
Date 
Printed Name of Subject 
(If 15 to 17 years old) 
 
Signature of Subject 
(If 15 to 17 years old) 
Date 
Printed Name of Parent, Guardian, or 
Legally Authorized Representative 
(if subject unable to provide consent or 
under 18 years old) 
  
Signature of Parent, Guardian, or 
Legally Authorized Representative  
(if subject unable to provide consent) 
 
Date 
Relationship to subject  
 
 
Printed Name of Person Obtaining 
Consent  
Signature of Person Obtaining 
Consent  
Date 
 

Prot_SAP_ICF_001.pdf: 
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Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for  
Traumatic Brain Injury  
 
2013-9-13 Proposal for PRC 
2013-9-23 Proposal for FDA IND – Revised Appendix 2 
2013-10-24 FDA IND 119858 Approved 
2013-11-4 Revised Protocol for FDA IND 119858 
2014-1-6 PRC Approved 
2014-2-3 First Revised Protocol for DSMB 
2014-3-4 Second Revised Protocol for DSMB 
2014-3-14 DSMB Approved 
2014-5-23 DSMB Approved: Amendment 1- Revised Protocol and Ancillary Study 
2014-9-9 Amendment 1.1  
2015-4-3 Amendment 1.2  
2015-07-29 DSMB Approved Amendment 2 
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01990768 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents 
TXA Acronyms ....................................................................................................................................... 5 
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................... 11 
1.  Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 13 
2.  Specific Aims/Hypothesis Statement .............................................................................................. 13 
2.1 Clinical Hypotheses and Aims .................................................................................................... 13 
2.2 Laboratory Hypotheses and Aims .............................................................................................. 14 
3. Background ............................................................................................................................... 14 
3.1 Traumatic Brain Injury ................................................................................................................ 14 
3.1.1 Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury ................................................................................. 14 
3.1.2 Secondary traumatic brain injury – coagulation and progression of intracranial hemorrhage
 ...................................................................................................................................................... 15 
3.1.3 Secondary traumatic brain injury – inflammation and development of cerebral edema ...... 15 
3.2 Overview of Hemostasis ............................................................................................................. 16 
3.3 TXA ............................................................................................................................................. 16 
3.3.1 FDA indications for TXA ....................................................................................................... 16 
3.3.2 Previous use of TXA ............................................................................................................ 16 
3.3.3 Military and civilian experience with TXA and trauma .......................................................... 17 
3.3.4 CRASH-3 trial ...................................................................................................................... 18 
3.3.5 Potential mechanisms of TXA .............................................................................................. 19 
3.3.6 Limitations of existing evidence: .......................................................................................... 19 
4. Trial Design ...................................................................................................................................... 20 
4.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................ 20 
4.1.1 Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium ................................................................................... 20 
4.1.2 ROC site selection ............................................................................................................... 20 
4.2 Methods and Techniques ........................................................................................................... 21 
4.2.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 21 
4.3 Inclusion Criteria ......................................................................................................................... 21 


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4.4 Exclusion Criteria ........................................................................................................................ 21 
5. Intervention ...................................................................................................................................... 22 
5.1 Screening Procedures ................................................................................................................ 22 
5.2 Study Procedures ....................................................................................................................... 22 
5.2.1 Randomization ..................................................................................................................... 22 
5.2.2 Prehospital intervention ....................................................................................................... 22 
5.2.3 In-hospital intervention ......................................................................................................... 23 
5.2.4 Treatment arms .................................................................................................................... 23 
5.2.5 Drug manufacture and supply .............................................................................................. 24 
5.2.6 Blinding ................................................................................................................................ 24 
5.2.7 Justification for dose selection ............................................................................................. 24 
5.3 Baseline Assessment ................................................................................................................. 25 
5.4 Clinical Data Collection ............................................................................................................... 25 
5.5 Research Laboratory Data Collection ......................................................................................... 26 
5.6 Image Collection and Processing ............................................................................................... 26 
5.7 Concurrent Care ......................................................................................................................... 27 
    5.8 Early Termination of Study Drug……………………………………………………………………...27 
6. Study Outcome Measures ................................................................................................................ 27 
6.1 Primary Outcome Measure: 6 Month Neurologic Outcome ........................................................ 27 
6.2 Secondary Outcome Measures .................................................................................................. 28 
7.  Sample Size for the Primary Outcome ............................................................................................ 29 
8.  Analysis Plan ................................................................................................................................... 30 
8.1 Primary Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 30 
8.2 Pre-Specified Secondary Subgroup Analyses ............................................................................ 30 
8.3 Mechanistic Outcomes ............................................................................................................... 31 
8.4 Plan for Missing Data ................................................................................................................. 31 
8.5 Sequential Monitoring Plan ......................................................................................................... 31 
8.6 Adverse and Serious Adverse Events ........................................................................................ 32 
8.7 Other Adverse Events ................................................................................................................ 33 
8.8 Roles and Responsibilities of the Medical Monitor ..................................................................... 34 
8.9 Data Entry ................................................................................................................................... 34 
8.10 Database Management ............................................................................................................ 34 
9.  Human Subjects Research ............................................................................................................. 35 
9.1 Potential risks ............................................................................................................................. 35 
9.2 Potential Benefits to Placebo Arm .............................................................................................. 35 
9.3 Protection Against Risks ............................................................................................................. 35 


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9.3.1 Protection of Human Subjects and Consent ........................................................................ 35 
9.3.2 Vulnerable populations ........................................................................................................ 37 
9.4 Proposal Timeline ....................................................................................................................... 37 
9.5 Public Purpose ........................................................................................................................... 38 
9.6 Military Significance .................................................................................................................... 38 
10. References ..................................................................................................................................... 39 
11.  Appendix 1 – Exception from Consent for Emergency Research…………………………………..45 
12.  Appendix 2 – Suggested Templates for Consent and Notification Forms………………………….51 
13.  Appendix 3 – Amendment 1: Ancillary IRB Protocol and Consent………………………………….65 
14. Appendix 4 – GOS, GOSE, DRS, Neurological Assessment, and TXA Monograph………………82!
 
 
 


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TXA 
Acronyms 
AA 
Arachidonic Acid 
ABC 
Assessment of Blood Consumption 
ABC/2 
ICH hematoma volume was measured on the initial head CT scan with the 
use of the ABC/2 method, in which A is the greatest diameter on the 
largest hemorrhage slice, B is the diameter perpendicular to A, and C is 
the approximate number of axial slices with hemorrhage multiplied by the 
slice thickness. 
ACT 
Activated clotting time 
ADP 
Adenosine diphosphate 
AE 
Adverse Event 
AHA  
American Heart Association 
AIS 
abbreviated injury score 
AKI 
Acute Kidney Injury 
Alb 
Albumin 
ALI 
Acute Lung Injury 
ARDS 
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome 
AT III 
Antithrombin 
ATC 
Acute Traumatic Coagulopathy 
ATLS 
Advanced Trauma Life Support 
ATV 
All Terrain Vehicle 
AUC 
Area Under the Curve 
Auto 
Autologous blood 
BAT 
Basophil Activation Test 
BD 
Base Deficit 
bHCG 
beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin 
BUN 
Blood Urea Nitrogen 
C 
Celsius 
CaCl2 
Calcium Chloride 
CAT 
Calibrated Automatic 
CBC 
Complete Blood Count 
CCC 
clinical coordinating center 
CeTIR 
Center for Translational Injury Research 
CFR 
Code of Federal Regulations 
CI 
confidence interval 
CIHR  
Canadian Institutes of Health Research 
CO2 
Carbon Dioxide 
CPR 
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation 
CRASH-2 
The Clinical Randomization of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant 
Hemorrhage 
CRASH-3 
Clinical Randomisation of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant Head Injury 


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CRIC 
Cricothyrotomy 
Cryo 
Cryoprecipitate 
CSF 
Cerebral Spinal Fluid 
CSV 
Comma, separated values 
CT 
Computed Tomography 
CTC 
University of Washington Clinical Trial Center 
CVP 
Central Venous Pressure 
DBP 
Diastolic Blood Pressure 
DCC 
Data Coordinating Center (ROC) 
DCR 
Damage Control Resuscitation 
DDE  
Distributed data entry 
DICOM 
Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine 
DNA 
Deoxyribonucleic Acid 
DNR 
Do Not Resuscitate 
DO 
Direct Observation 
DoD 
Department of Defense 
DPL 
Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage 
DRS 
Disability Rating Scale 
DSMB 
Data Safety Monitoring Board 
DVT 
deep venous thrombosis 
EAC 
Endogenous Acute Coagulopathy 
EACA 
Epsilon-aminocaproic acid 
EC 
Executive Committee 
ED 
Emergency Department 
EDTA 
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 
EFIC 
Exception From Informed Consent 
ELISA 
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 
EM 
Emergency Medicine 
EMS 
Emergency Medical Services 
ETP 
Endogenous thrombin potential 
F 
Fahrenheit 
FAST 
Focused Assessment for the Sonography of Trauma 
FDA 
Food and Drug Administration 
FFP 
Fresh Frozen Plasma 
FTP 
File Transfer Protocol 
FWA 
Federal Wide assurance 
GCP 
Good Clinical Practice 
GCS 
Glasgow Coma Scale 
GMP 
Good Manufacturing Practices 
GOS 
Glasgow Outcome Score 
GOS-E 
Glasgow Outcomes Score Extended 


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GSW 
Gun Shot Wound 
h 
hour 
HCCC 
UTHealth Clinical Coordinating Center 
HCG 
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin 
Hct 
Hematocrit 
HD 
Hemodialysis 
HDCC 
UTHealth Data Coordinating Center 
Hes 
Hespan 
Hex 
Hexpan 
Hgb 
Hemoglobin 
HIPAA 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
HR 
Heart Rate 
HS 
Hemorrhagic Shock 
HS 
Hypertonic saline 
Ht 
Hypertonic 
HTML 
Hypertext Markup Language 
HUI 
Health Utilities Index 
ICH 
Intracranial Hemorrhage 
ICP 
Intracranial pressure 
ICRH  
Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health 
ICU 
Intensive Care Unit 
ID 
Identification 
IDE 
Investigational device exemption 
IND 
investigational new drug 
INR 
International Normalized Ratio 
IO 
intraosseous 
IR 
Interventional Radiology 
IRB 
Institutional Review Board 
IRB 
Internal Review Board 
ISS 
Injury Severity Score 
i-Stat 
i-STAT Point-of-care Testing 
IT 
Information Technology 
IVH 
Intraventricular Hemorrhage 
IV 
Intravenous 
JTTS 
Joint Theatre Trauma System 
kg 
kilograms 
LAR 
Legal Authorized Representative 
LED 
Light Emitting Diode 
LR 
Lactated Ringer's 
LSI 
Life Saving Intervention 
LTI 
Life-threatening Traumatic Injury 


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LY30 
Clot Lysis time at 30 minutes 
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mA 
maximum Amplitude 
MATTERS 
Military Application of Tranexamic Acid in Trauma Emergency 
Resuscitation Study 
MC 
Management Committee 
MCC 
Motorcycle Crash 
mg 
milligrams 
MI 
Myocardial Infarction 
min 
minutes 
mL 
milliliters 
mmHg 
millimeters of mercury 
MOF 
Multiple Organ Failure 
MP 
microparticle 
MR 
Medical Record 
MRI 
Magnetic Resonance Imaging 
MRS 
Modified Rankin Score 
MT 
Massive Transfusion 
MVC 
Motor Vehicle Collision 
NEMSIS 
National EMS Information System 
NHLBI 
National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute 
NIH 
National Institute of Health 
NINDS 
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 
NIRS 
Near Infrared Spectroscopy 
NS 
Normal Saline 
O2 
Oxygen 
OCCC 
Oregon Health Sciences University Clinical Coordinating Center 
OCTRI 
Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute 
ODBC 
Open Database Connectivity 
OHRP 
Office for Human Research Protections 
OHSU 
Oregon Health Sciences University 
OOH-CA 
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest 
OPRR 
Office for Protection from Research Risks 
OR 
Operating Room 
PAP 
Plasmin-Alpha-2-Antiplasmin 
PAR 
Protease-activated receptors 
PCC 
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate 
PCR 
Patient Care Record 
PDF 
Portable Document Format 
PE 
Pulmonary Embolism 
PEST 
Political, Economic, Social, and Technological Factors 
PROPHET 
Prospective Observational Prehospital and Hospital Registry for Trauma 


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PI 
Principal Investigator 
Pl 
Plasmalyte 
PLT 
Platelets 
PMSF 
phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride 
PRBC 
packed red blood cells 
PRC 
ROC Protocol Review Committee 
PROPHET 
Prospective Observational Prehospital and Hospital Registry for Trauma 
PROPPR 
Pragmatic Randomized Optimal Plasma and Platelet Ratios 
ProTECT 
Randomized Clinical Trial of Progesterone for Acute Traumatic Brain 
Injury 
PT 
prothrombin time 
PTT 
partial thromboplastin time 
QL 
Quality of life 
RBC 
Red Blood Cell 
RCC 
Regional Clinical Center 
RCT 
Randomized clinical trial 
R&D 
Research and Development 
REB 
Research Ethics Board (Canadian) 
rFVIIa 
Recombinant Factor VIIa 
ROC 
Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium 
RR 
relative risk 
RT PCR 
reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction 
SAE 
Serious Adverse Event 
SAH 
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage 
SAS 
Statistical Analysis System Software 
SBP 
Systolic Blood Pressure 
SC 
Steering Committee 
SCM 
Steering Committee Meeting 
sEPCR 
soluable endothelial protein C receptor 
SI 
Surgical Intervention 
SIR 
Scientific Information Retrieval 
SMC 
Study Monitoring Committee 
SPH 
School of Public Health 
SpO2 
Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen 
SPSS 
Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software 
SQL 
Structured Query Language 
SS 
Special situations 
SSH  
Secure Shell 
SSL 
Secure Sockets Layer 
sTM 
soluble Thrombomodulin 
StO2 
Tissue Oxygenation 


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SUSAR 
suspected unanticipated serious adverse reaction 
TAFI 
Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor 
TBI 
Traumatic Brain Injury 
TBSA 
Total Body Surface Area 
TCCC 
Tactical Combat Casualty Care 
TEG 
Thrombelastograph 
TF 
transfusion 
TFPI 
Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 
TG 
thrombin generation 
TIC 
Trauma Induced Coagulopathy 
TP 
Thawed Plasma 
tPA 
Tissue Plasminogen Activator 
TRALI 
Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury 
TRAP 
Thrombin Receptor Activation Peptide 
TRIO 
Trauma Research Institute of Oregon 
TXA 
Tranexamic Acid 
U 
units 
UCSD 
University of California-San Diego 
UCSF 
University of California-San Francisco 
ug 
microgram 
UK 
United Kingdom 
US 
United States 
USAMRMC United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command 
UT 
Houston 
University of Texas Health Sciences Center Houston 
UTHealth 
University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston 
UW 
University of Washington  
UW-IT 
University of Washington Information Technology 
VAP 
Ventilator assisted pneumonia 
WBA 
Whole Blood Aggregometry 
 
 
 


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SUMMARY  
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid (TXA) Use for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 
Primary aim: To determine the efficacy of two dosing regimens of TXA initiated in the prehospital setting in 
patients with moderate to severe TBI (GCS score ≤12).  
 
Primary hypothesis: The null hypothesis is that random assignment to prehospital administration of TXA in 
patients with moderate to severe TBI will not change the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term 
neurologic outcome compared to random assignment to placebo, based on the GOS-E at 6 months.   
 
Secondary aims: To determine differences between random assignment to TXA and placebo in the following 
outcomes for patients with moderate to severe TBI treated in the prehospital setting with 2 dosing regimens of 
TXA: 
 
• 
Clinical outcomes: ICH progression, Marshall and Rotterdam CT classification scores, DRS at 
discharge and 6 months, GOS-E at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days.  
• 
Safety outcomes:  Development of seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction, deep 
venous thrombosis, and pulmonary thromboembolism. 
• 
Mechanistic outcomes: Alterations in fibrinolysis based on fibrinolytic pathway mediators and degree of 
clot lysis based on TEG. 
 
Inclusion criteria: Blunt and penetrating traumatic mechanism consistent with TBI with prehospital GCS ≤ 12 
prior to administration of sedative and/or paralytic agents, prehospital SBP ≥ 90 mmHg, prehospital 
intravenous (IV) access, age ≥ 15yrs (or weight ≥ 50kg if age is unknown), EMS transport destination based on 
standard local practices determined to be a participating trauma center. 
 
Exclusion criteria: Prehospital GCS=3 with no reactive pupil, estimated time from injury to start of study drug 
bolus dose >2 hours, unknown time of injury, clinical suspicion by EMS of seizure activity, acute MI or stroke or 
known history, to the extent possible, of seizures, thromboembolic disorders or renal dialysis, CPR by EMS 
prior to randomization, burns > 20% TBSA, suspected or known prisoners, suspected or known pregnancy, 
prehospital TXA or other pro-coagulant drug given prior to randomization, subjects who have activated the 
“opt-out” process when required by the local regulatory board. 
 
Study design and infusion period: A multi-center double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial with three 
treatment arms: 
 
• 
Bolus/maintenance arm: 1 gram IV TXA bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a 1 gram IV 
maintenance infusion initiated upon hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours. 
• 
Bolus only arm: 2 grams IV TXA bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a placebo maintenance 
infusion initiated upon hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours. 
• 
Placebo arm: Placebo IV bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a placebo maintenance infusion 
initiated upon hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours. 
 
EMS agencies will carry blinded sealed study drug kits. Once the seal is broken in the presence of the patient, 
the patient is randomized. The EMS study drug kit will contain a vial of either 1 gram TXA, 2 grams TXA, or 
placebo. EMS will mix the study drug in a 250 mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride and administer the bolus 
infusion as soon as life-saving interventions are performed. After randomization, EMS will provide the study 
drug kit ID# to research personnel upon arrival in the emergency department (ED). The research personnel will 
contact the study coordinating center and, using the kit ID#, obtain the unique code ID for the blinded study 
drug vial that matches the randomization assignment for the appropriate drug to be administered in the 
hospital.  
 


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Sample size: The total sample size in the primary analysis population is 963 (321 per group), which will allow 
for 80% power to detect a 7.1% absolute increase in the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term 
neurological outcome as determined by the GOS-E 6 months after injury comparing patients who receive TXA 
to patients who receive placebo, using a one-sided, level 0.1 test.  It will allow for 80% power to detect an 
absolute decrease of 9.5% in the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term neurologic outcome 
comparing patients who receive TXA to patients who receive placebo, using a one-sided, level 0.025 test. 
 
Statistical analysis of primary hypothesis: Modified intention-to-treat analysis using logistic regression to 
test for association and estimate the strength of the association of treatment group with a favorable 6-month 
outcome (defined as a GOS-E > 4), after adjustment for study site. 
 
Human subjects protection: This study qualifies for the exception from informed consent (EFIC) required for 
emergency research outlined in FDA regulation 21CFR50.24. EFIC applies because of life-threatening 
situation, intervention must be administered before consent is feasible, no reasonable way to identify 
prospectively individuals at risk, patients have the prospect of benefit from the treatment, and the research 
could not practically be carried out without the waiver of consent. 
 
 


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1.  Overview 
This multi-center, Phase II trial is designed to determine if Tranexamic Acid (TXA) initiated in the prehospital 
setting improves long-term neurologic outcome compared to placebo in patients with moderate to severe TBI 
who are not in shock.  This study protocol will be conducted as part of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium 
(ROC) at trauma centers in the United States and Canada. ROC is funded by the National Heart Lung and 
Blood Institute (NHLBI) in partnership with the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command 
(USAMRMC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, the 
American Heart Association (AHA), and the Defense Research and Development Canada. ROC is a clinical 
trials network focusing on research primarily in the area of prehospital cardiopulmonary arrest and severe 
traumatic injury. The mission of ROC is to provide infrastructure and project support for clinical trials and other 
outcome-oriented research in the areas of cardiopulmonary arrest and severe traumatic injury that lead to 
evidence-based change in clinical practice.  
2.  Specific Aims/Hypothesis Statement 
2.1 Clinical Hypotheses and Aims 
!
Specific aim 1: To compare 6-month neurologic outcome between patients who are randomly assigned to 
TXA to patients who are randomly assigned to placebo by evaluating the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended 
score (GOS-E) at 6 months post-injury. 
 
Primary Hypothesis: We will perform a one-sided test of the following null hypothesis: 
 
• 
The proportion of patients who have a favorable neurologic outcome (GOS-E > 4) at six months post 
injury who are randomly assigned to TXA is not different from the proportion of patients who have a 
favorable neurologic outcome (GOS-E > 4) who are randomly assigned to placebo. This hypothesis will 
be tested versus the alternative that  the proportion of patients with a favorable neurologic outcome 
who are randomly assigned to TXA is higher than in patients who are randomly assigned to placebo at 
the .1 level and versus the alternative that the proportion of patients with a favorable neurologic 
outcome who are randomly assigned to TXA is lower than it is in the placebo group at the .025 level  
 
 
Specific aim 2: To assess differences in morbidity and mortality measured from randomization through 28 
days or initial hospital discharge between subjects in the bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and placebo 
arm.  
Secondary Hypotheses:  The null hypotheses are that there will be no difference between patients 
who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly assigned to placebo in the 
following: absolute and relative volume of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) progression, proportion with 
ICH progression, Marshall and Rotterdam CT classification scores, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, GOS-E measured at discharge, Disability Rating Scale score (DRS) measured at 
discharge and 6 months, 28-day survival, and ventilator-free, intensive care unit (ICU)-free, and 
hospital-free days.  
 
Specific aim 3: To assess differences in adverse events measured from randomization to initial hospital 
discharge between subjects in the bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and placebo arm. 
 
Tertiary Hypotheses: The null hypotheses are that there will be no difference between patients who 
are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly assigned to placebo in the following: proportion 
of patients experiencing seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction (MI), deep venous 
thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) post randomization through 28 days or discharge, 
whichever occurs first.  


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2.2 Laboratory Hypotheses and Aims 
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Specific aim 1: To compare coagulation profiles over time using kaolin activated thrombelastography (TEG) 
results between patients who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly assigned to 
placebo. 
 
Primary hypothesis:  The null hypothesis is that there will be no difference in the degree of fibrinolysis 
as assessed by percentage of clot lysis determined 30 minutes after the maximum amplitude is 
reached (LY30) between patients who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly 
assigned to placebo. 
  
Specific aim 2: To explore the underlying mechanism of TXA by comparing fibrinolytic pathway mediator 
activity between patients who receive TXA and patients who receive placebo.  
 
Secondary hypothesis:  The null hypothesis is that there will be no change in fibrinolytic pathway 
mediators between patients who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly 
assigned placebo. 
 
Specific aim 3: To estimate the association between the degree of fibrinolysis based on kaolin activated TEG 
results and fibrinolytic pathway mediators on primary and secondary clinical outcomes. 
 
Tertiary hypothesis:  The null hypothesis is that no association will exist between the degree of 
fibrinolysis based on TEG and fibrinolytic pathway mediators (listed in specific aim 2) and primary and 
secondary clinical outcomes.  
 
3. Background 
3.1 Traumatic Brain Injury 
3.1.1 Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury 
TBI is the leading cause of death and disability due to trauma and is the number one cause of death in people 
younger than 40 years old.1   Every year, more than 1.6 million people sustain a TBI resulting in 80,000 
permanent severe neurological disabilities and 52,000 deaths.2,3,4 TBI is responsible for the greatest number of 
potential years of life lost from any cause and the highest burden on quality adjusted life years lost in 
survivors.5  Current evidence and clinical guidelines emphasize the importance of early and effective 
hemodynamic resuscitation following TBI and stress the deleterious effects of hemorrhagic shock complicating 
TBI.6 Mortality in patients with severe TBI is greater than 25%7 yet one third of patients still survive with 
minimal to moderate neurologic deficits. Given this wide variability in neurological recovery, an effective 
treatment for TBI has the potential to significantly impact neurologic outcomes.  
 
TBI has been labeled as the signature wound of the Iraq/Afghan conflict. The number of military personnel that 
have suffered blunt TBI has risen dramatically due to an increase in concussive weapons and a decrease in 
penetrating injury as a result of improved armor. Approximately 20% of combat personnel have suffered a TBI 
while in theater,8 and this estimate is likely conservative as there is limited in-field screening. Despite the 
significant impact that TBI has on both the military and civilian populations, there remains no effective 
pharmacological agent that has been shown to improve outcome for TBI. 8,9,10,11 A review of five treatments 
(hyperventilation, mannitol, cerebral spinal fluid drainage, barbiturates, corticosteroids) for TBI found that when 
studies were properly controlled, none of these treatments were shown to be effective for reducing morbidity 
and mortality.12 No new pharmacological therapy has been implemented for routine use in acute TBI in over 30 
years.12 
 


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3.1.2 Secondary traumatic brain injury – coagulation and progression of intracranial 
hemorrhage 
In patients with TBI, the extent of the brain damage is determined by the severity of the primary mechanical 
injury as well as the degree of secondary brain injury. Thus, the management of TBI focuses on limiting 
secondary brain injury. Coagulopathy has been recognized as a major factor contributing to secondary brain 
injury and worse outcome after TBI.13 The mechanism for coagulopathy after TBI has been studied extensively 
but remains unclear. Patients with TBI are at risk for developing abnormalities of both coagulation and 
fibrinolysis.14 There is evidence that the extent of injured brain tissue correlates with the degree of 
coagulopathy.15 In 1974 Goodnight et al. hypothesized that tissue thromboplastin released from damaged 
brain, also known as tissue factor, enters the circulation, activates the extrinsic coagulation pathway, and 
produces fibrin clot.16,17 Tissue factor is considered the primary initiator of coagulation and its release can 
activate the coagulation system excessively in patients with head trauma.18 Additional proposed mechanisms 
involve abnormalities in the fibrinolytic system as well as depletion of platelets and clotting factors following 
blood loss or consumption from disseminated intravascular coagulation.19 A more recent hypothesis suggests 
that TBI alone does not cause early coagulopathy but must be coupled with hypoperfusion to lead to 
coagulation derangements associated with the activation of the protein C pathway.20  
 
Overall, up to 50% of patients with TBI develop progression of ICH as evidenced by a new or progressive 
lesion on repeat head computed tomography (CT) scan.21 Eighty-five percent of patients with at least one 
abnormal routine coagulation test will develop progression of ICH, yet even in patients with normal coagulation 
assays, 1/3 of patients will still develop progression.21 The correlation between routinely collected coagulation 
tests and progression of ICH remains controversial. Stein et al. demonstrated that an abnormal International 
Normalized Ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and platelet count independently 
correlated with progression of injury.21 Oertel et al. showed only the aPTT correlated with injury progression22 
while Schnuriger et al. showed that decreased platelet counts (though still within the normal range) were 
associated with increased ICH progression.23 While the relative impact of individual clotting abnormalities on 
progression of ICH continues to be the subject of debate, it is clear that patients with demonstrated 
coagulopathy after TBI have a significantly increased rate of ICH progression compared to those without 
coagulopathy.24 Since progression of ICH is independently associated with increased need for surgical 
intervention, decreased long-term neurologic outcome, and a 5-fold increase in mortality,21 an early intervention 
that could decrease the development of progressive ICH could theoretically have a major impact on patient 
outcome. 
 
3.1.3 Secondary traumatic brain injury – inflammation and development of cerebral edema 
The development of cerebral edema is another important type of secondary brain injury. It is clear that the 
formation of cerebral edema is a major factor leading to the high morbidity and mortality in patients with TBI.25  
No new treatments have been developed in recent years that are effective at reducing cerebral edema, in part 
because the mechanism is only recently becoming better understood. Cerebral edema occurs by the addition 
of water from the vasculature (vasogenic edema), whereas cytotoxic edema results from a shift of water from 
the extracellular to the intracellular compartment. Thus, the primary focus of research involving cerebral edema 
is directed toward attenuating the permeability of the blood brain barrier. It is well established that systemic 
inflammation is common after major trauma and TBI. It is becoming increasingly recognized that multiple 
classes of inflammatory mediators can lead to increased permeability of the blood brain barrier and the 
development of cerebral edema.26 In a frontal cortex contusion model, a marked inflammatory reaction was 
observed after injury in both the injured region and surrounding areas of the brain.27 This model also 
demonstrated an invasion of macrophages and neutrophils into the area of impact with increased inflammatory 
cytokine generation.27 With the aid of novel magnetic resonance imaging techniques, vasogenic edema has 
been shown to occur within a few hours after injury. 28 Thus, the development of a neuroprotective agent that 
could be given very early after injury, before edema develops, could have a major impact on morbidity and 
mortality in patients with TBI. 
 


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3.2 Overview of Hemostasis 
Hemostasis requires a balance between the coagulation cascade responsible for producing fibrin clot and the 
fibrinolytic system that dissolves fibrin clot. At sites of tissue injury, activation of the coagulation cascade 
results in thrombin formation, which cleaves fibrinogen to fibrin monomers. These monomers polymerize to 
form fibrin that seals the damaged vessel wall. This deposition of fibrin then activates the fibrinolytic system to 
help maintain the patency of the vessel lumen. Fibrinolysis occurs when plasminogen, which is trapped within 
the clot, binds to lysine residues on the surface of the fibrin. When a plasminogen activator is present (like 
tissue plasminogen activator [tPA]), plasminogen is converted to plasmin, which then degrades fibrin into 
fragments that are further broken down and removed from circulation. Fibrinolysis is regulated by plasminogen 
activators (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitors (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1]), and plasmin 
inhibitors (α-2 antiplasmin), and is affected by the rapid hepatic clearance of these molecules. Excessive 
breakdown of fibrin (hyperfibrinolysis) results in excessive bleeding and has been associated with a wide 
variety of conditions ranging from perioperative blood loss to subarachnoid hemorrhage.29 Hyperfibrinolysis 
has been associated with significantly increased mortality after major trauma.30 Antifibrinolytics such as TXA 
and aminocaproic acid can inhibit hyperfibrinolysis by interfering with plasmin production, thus stabilizing the 
fibrin clot. 
  
3.3 TXA 
3.3.1 FDA indications for TXA 
In January 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the injection formulation of TXA (NDA 
019281, branded Cyklokapron) in patients with hemophilia for short-term use (two to eight days) to reduce or 
prevent hemorrhage and reduce the need for replacement therapy during and following tooth extraction, with a 
revised label warning to include convulsions (and no change to the indications). The FDA has approved TXA 
injection as a therapeutically equivalent generic drug that is available from X Gen Pharmaceuticals Inc (NDC 
39822-1000-1). Because of the planned off-label use of the drug as a bolus dose and 8-hour maintenance 
infusion for TBI in a prehospital federally funded trial using exception from informed consent for emergency 
research, the drug will require Investigational New Drug exemption in accordance with federal regulations.  
 
 
3.3.2 Previous use of TXA 
Clinical use of TXA was first described in 1966.31 TXA is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine that 
acts by competitively inhibiting plasminogen activation and at higher concentrations, noncompetitively inhibiting 
plasmin.32 TXA binding blocks the interaction of plasminogen with fibrin preventing breakdown of fibrin clot. 
Thus, rather than promoting new clot formation, it prevents clot breakdown. While plasminogen may still be 
converted to plasmin in the presence of a plasminogen activator, after binding TXA, plasmin can no longer bind 
fibrin.32 TXA also blocks the binding of α-2 antiplasmin to plasmin and thus prevents its inactivation of 
plasmin.32 The use of TXA to control bleeding has been described in a number of clinical settings including, 
pediatric urinary tract surgery,33 ruptured intracranial aneurysms,34 oral surgery,35 gynecologic surgery,36 
treatment of hereditary angioneurotic edema,37 upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage,38 traumatic hyphema,39 
hemophilia,40 von Willebrand disease, and refractory thrombocytopenia.41 More recently, TXA has been 
adopted to treat hyperfibrinolysis associated with cardiopulmonary bypass and liver transplantation and has 
been shown to decrease both blood loss and need for transfusion.42 
 
The use of TXA in patients with neurological disease including subarachnoid hemorrhage dates back to the 
1980’s.43 Intracranial aneurysm rupture results in bleeding into the subarachnoid space and subsequent brain 
damage due to destruction of brain parenchyma, increased intracranial pressure, mid-line shift and ultimate 
herniation. Of patients that survive, 20% develop re-bleeding with delayed ischemic deficits.44,45 In a 
randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in 478 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid 
hemorrhage, a significant reduction in the rate of re-bleeding was demonstrated (9% TXA versus 24% 
placebo), however overall outcome was not improved due to an increase in the incidence of cerebral 


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ischemia.43 Due to the lack of effect on mortality, the use of TXA was not recommended in this population.46 
However, in a later study using lower doses of TXA in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, 
TXA was again observed to decrease acute re-bleeding, with no increase in ischemic complications.47 One 
important difference in studies that have demonstrated increased cerebral ischemic events is the use of 
prolonged dosing regimens (3-4 times per day for 2-8 days), similar to its use in hemophilia. The more recent 
large studies that demonstrate no increase in cerebral ischemia have utilized a shorter duration, similar to the 
dosing proposed in this study. 48 
 
The FDA approved label for tranexamic acid (TXA) contraindicates the use of the drug in patients with 
subarachnoid hemorrhage noting that cerebral edema and cerebral infarction may even be caused by TXA in 
such patients.  In this study TXA will be administered to patients during the prehospital intervention phase and 
prior to obtaining any brain imaging results.  Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is known to occur commonly in 
patients with traumatic brain injury, including those with penetrating injuries. Early studies examining the use of 
TXA in SAH that used higher doses and longer duration of administration initially raised the concern that there 
may also be an increase in cerebral ischemia. In more recent studies that have used lower doses of TXA 
(similar to our trial), a significant decrease in the rate of rebleeding continues to be observed with no increase 
in cerebral ischemic events and improved long-term outcome. In a randomized trial including over 500 patients 
who received 1 gm TXA IV followed by 1 gm q 6 hours until the aneurysm was occluded, there was no 
evidence of a higher risk of ischemia.49 Other smaller studies support this finding. A recent Cochrane review 
published in August 2013 examined this issue and while they concluded that the evidence does not support the 
use of antifibrinolytic drugs in the treatment of people with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, this meta-
analysis demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity (including combining higher dosing regimens with lower 
dosing regimens, prolonged drug administration with short term administration, and older studies with newer 
studies using neuroprotection).50 When subgroup analyses were performed specifically focusing on studies 
using superior methods to confirm ischemia (CT or autopsy), studies incorporating a placebo arm, and those 
utilizing neuroprotection, no significant differences were observed. Antifibrinolytic therapy had no effect on the 
rate of hydrocephalus. Thus, the Cochrane reviewers concluded that results of short-term treatment (as in our 
protocol) are promising and further randomized trials evaluating short-term antifibrinolytic treatment are 
needed.  
 
 
3.3.3 Military and civilian experience with TXA and trauma 
The Military Application of Tranexamic Acid in Trauma Emergency Resuscitation Study (MATTERs) was an 
observational study of 896 patients admitted to a Role 3 United Kingdom (UK) combat support hospital in 
Afghanistan between 2009-2010 who received at least 1 unit of packed red blood cells (PRBC) within 24 hours 
of admission.51 In this prospective cohort, 293 patients non-randomly received TXA. The TXA group had 
significantly lower mortality (17.4% versus 23.9%) despite being more severely injured. While a clear benefit 
was observed in patients who received a massive transfusion, the TXA group had a greater degree of blast 
injury and lower Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) on admission. Furthermore, the mortality difference was 
not apparent until 48 hours after admission, suggesting that a mechanistic benefit exclusive of its effects on 
coagulation may exist. Since this was an observational study, no blood was available for examination of the 
mechanism involved. Nonetheless, the results of this study were compelling and resulted in a change in the 
use of TXA in the UK and US. The US Joint Theater Trauma System Clinical Practice Guideline for Damage 
Control Resuscitation in deployed surgical hospitals now recommends that administration of TXA “as soon as 
possible after injury (but ideally not later than 3 hours post injury) should be strongly considered for any patient 
requiring blood products in the treatment of combat-related hemorrhage.”52 
 
The safety and efficacy of using TXA in trauma patients was recently studied in a large placebo-controlled trial 
of 20,211 trauma patients in 40 countries called “The Clinical Randomization of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant 
Hemorrhage” (CRASH-2). 53 Patients were considered eligible if they were within 8 hours of injury and had a 
(SBP) < 90 mmHg and/or heart rate > 110 beats per minute, or were considered to be at risk for significant 
hemorrhage. The ultimate decision to enroll eligible patients was based upon the uncertainty principle, 


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meaning that the physician had to be substantially uncertain about whether or not the patient would benefit 
from TXA to enroll them. Patients were randomized to either 1 gram TXA loading dose over 10 minutes 
followed by 1 gram TXA over 8 hours, or placebo. The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital death 
within 4 weeks of injury. The secondary outcomes were vascular occlusive events, transfusions, and surgical 
interventions.  The treatment and placebo groups were well matched. The all-cause mortality rate was 
significantly reduced in the TXA group compared to the placebo group (14.5% versus 16%). Interestingly, there 
was no difference in the number of blood products transfused between groups, calling into question the 
underlying mechanism for the observed benefit and raising the question as to which patient population 
benefitted from TXA. Because of the broad trauma patient population in CRASH-2, several pre-specified 
analyses of the data have been performed. In one post-hoc analysis of the CRASH-2 trial data, the association 
between time of administration of TXA and death due to bleeding as an end-point (as opposed to all-cause 
mortality) was evaluated.54 In this analysis, the authors demonstrated that death due to bleeding was 
dependent on the time from injury to treatment. When TXA was administered immediately after injury the 
relative risk (RR) of death due to bleeding was 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-0.74) and progressively 
increased the later the drug was given. Patients who received TXA within one hour of injury had a 13% lower 
all-cause mortality (95% CI 0-25%) than those treated with placebo. When treatment was given beyond 3 
hours from injury, however, the RR of death increased to 1.44 (95% CI 1.12-1.84) demonstrating a harmful 
effect. While these data clearly suggest that TXA should be given early after injury, the reason for the 
increased mortality at later time points remains unclear. 
 
The results from CRASH-2 raised the possibility that TXA may also be effective in TBI. CRASH-2 did not 
exclude patients with TBI, however they did not report detailed outcomes for this cohort. To further examine 
the use of TXA in TBI, the investigators presented the results on a cohort of 270 patients with TBI (defined as 
brain CT compatible with TBI and GCS ≤ 14) who were enrolled in CRASH-2. The study was prospective with 
detailed CT data and pre-specified outcomes.48 The primary outcome of the study was growth of the ICH, 
measured using CT at hospital admission and 24-48 hours later. Secondary outcomes were death from any 
cause, dependency (measured using the 5-point Modified Oxford Handicap Scale, dichotomized into dead or 
dependent versus independent) the need for neurosurgical intervention, and the appearance of new focal 
cerebral ischemic lesions on follow-up CT.53,55 In this analysis, the mean total hemorrhage volume growth was 
reduced from 8.1 ml in the placebo group to 5.9 ml in the TXA group. Equally important, however, was the 
finding that patients in the TXA group developed fewer new focal cerebral ischemic lesions than in the placebo 
group (4.9 versus 9.5%) and fewer patients died in the TXA group than in the placebo group (10.5 versus 
17.5%). Since none of these results were statistically significant, however, the authors concluded that neither 
moderate benefit nor moderate harm of TXA in TBI could be excluded.  
 
A second randomized controlled trial in patients with isolated TBI demonstrated similar trends. This trial was 
conducted in 240 patients with moderate to severe TBI who had a head CT with no immediate indication for 
surgery within 8 hours of injury.56  Subjects were randomized to a 2 gram TXA bolus or placebo. The primary 
outcome was progressive ICH on repeat CT scan which was defined as greater than 25% increase in any 
dimension or the presence of a new hemorrhage. Progressive ICH was present in 14% of patients receiving 
TXA and 25% of patients receiving placebo. This trial also found reductions in ICH growth (RR=0.6; 95% CI 
0.34-1.32) with TXA but did not collect data on ischemic lesions. The RR of death from all causes was 0.67 
(0.34-1.32) in patients allocated to TXA compared to placebo, and no evidence of increased thromboembolic 
adverse events was observed in the TXA group. Due to the lack of significance, the authors concluded that 
further clinical trials are needed to assess the effect of TXA on death and disability in patients with TBI. A 
meta-analysis of these two trials demonstrated significant reduction in both hemorrhage growth (RR=0.72; 
95% CI 0.55 to 0.94) and mortality (RR=0.63; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.99) with the use of TXA.57 
 
3.3.4 CRASH-3 trial  
Based on the promising results from the two previous trials of TXA in TBI, the Tranexamic Acid for the 
Treatment of Significant Traumatic Brain Injury trial (CRASH-3) was designed to provide evidence concerning 
the effect of TXA on mortality and disability in patients with TBI.57 The CRASH-3 trial is an international, 


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multicenter randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. To be eligible for this study, patients must be 
within 8 hours of injury and have evidence of an ICH on CT scan or a GCS ≤12, with no evidence of significant 
extracranial bleeding. The primary outcome is in-hospital death within 28 days.57 This trial is currently 
underway but as in CRASH-2, will again utilize the uncertainty principle, such that patients will only be enrolled 
when the physician is substantially uncertain if TXA is indicated to treat the TBI. Furthermore, the investigators 
are allowing subjects to be enrolled up to 8 hours after injury and they do not plan to study the mechanisms by 
which TXA affects outcome after TBI. 
 
3.3.5 Potential mechanisms of TXA 
No studies have examined the mechanism of TXA in patients with TBI. CRASH-2 was a phase III study that 
was not preceded by a phase II study to evaluate the mechanism by which subjects may have benefitted from 
the drug.53 No blood was collected and the effect of TXA using coagulation or fibrinolytic assays was not 
evaluated. Since there was no difference in the transfusion requirements between the TXA and the placebo 
groups, the mechanism leading to the mortality benefit in this trial remains in question. In the MATTERs study, 
TXA use was associated with significantly lower mortality; however, the mortality difference was not apparent 
until 48 hours after admission suggesting an alternate mechanism instead of a coagulation effect may be 
dominant.51 In this trial, as in CRASH-2, there was no assessment of fibrinolysis or the effect of treatment on 
fibrinolysis.  
 
Several potential mechanisms may be responsible for the lower mortality and reduction in ICH growth 
observed in previous studies. Increased fibrinolysis, as measured by elevated fibrinogen degradation products 
and D-dimers, is a common finding in the coagulopathy associated with TBI,58 thus raising the possibility that 
TXA may exert an effect by limiting progression of ICH through its antifibrinolytic activity. Another mechanistic 
explanation is that TXA may act by reducing the neurotoxic or proinflammatory effects of plasmin, independent 
of its effect on hemostasis.59  Tissue plasminogen activator has been shown to be important in the 
development of cerebral edema in the injured brain, presumably by activating plasminogen to plasmin.60,61,62 
By blocking the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, TXA may potentially counteract the effect of tPA 
resulting in decreased cerebral edema. A third potential mechanism is related to the interaction between the 
inflammatory and coagulation systems. Hyperfibrinolysis has been associated with inflammatory states and the 
generation of proinflammatory cytokines.63 By preventing hyperfibrinolysis, TXA may lead to decreased 
expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Several recent studies have demonstrated that TXA decreases 
inflammation in cardiac surgery,64,65 however, the pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of TXA have not yet been 
investigated in trauma patients with TBI. 
 
3.3.6 Limitations of existing evidence: 
There are several limitations of the currently available evidence that underscore the need for additional well-
designed trials in clearly defined patient populations. First, there is limited applicability of the currently available 
evidence for countries with well-developed trauma systems. Almost all of the patients enrolled in CRASH-2 
were from low and middle-income countries. In these countries transfusion protocols utilizing blood component 
therapy are rarely available. Furthermore, a majority of these countries lack the well-developed trauma 
systems with advanced prehospital care that is available in the United States. Trauma system improvements, 
including advanced prehospital care and rapid access to surgical intervention, have significantly improved both 
functional recovery and survival after injury in developed countries. This difference in resources between 
under-developed and developed trauma systems also limits the applicability of the safety analysis in CRASH-2. 
While no apparent increase in vascular occlusive events in patients treated with TXA compared to placebo was 
observed, it is possible that pro-thrombotic risks not identified in CRASH-2 might be demonstrated in the 
United States given the increased use of plasma and platelets. Furthermore, screening protocols for these 
events are utilized more frequently in the United States than they were in the CRASH-2 sites. Additionally, the 
trial design utilizing the uncertainty principle employed in CRASH-2 (and currently being utilized in the CRASH-
3 trial) resulted in an ill-defined patient population, further limiting the generalizability and reproducibility of the 
results. Thus, it still remains unclear exactly which patient populations should receive TXA. Finally, the 


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mechanism of TXA in patients with TBI remains unknown since neither the CRASH-2 trial or the MATTERs 
study performed mechanism related laboratory assays. This knowledge is critical to better understand the 
effect of TXA on coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation in order to interpret the results of this trial. This 
information will be used to direct future studies to evaluate drugs that target pathways not affected by TXA and 
to provide important information related to differences that may be observed between this trial and CRASH-2. 
Despite these limitations, the currently available data for the use of TXA in injured patients is compelling and 
mandates well designed large randomized clinical trials in injured patients to further define the risks and 
benefits of TXA in both shock and TBI. 
 
4. Trial Design 
4.1 Setting 
4.1.1 Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium 
The ROC is a research network of North American Emergency Medical Systems and level one trauma centers 
(10 regional clinical centers and 7 satellite centers)66 and a single data coordinating center (DCC).  Since its 
inception in 2004, ROC has provided infrastructure and project support for clinical trials and outcome-oriented 
research in the areas of cardiopulmonary arrest and severe traumatic injury. ROC has been able to leverage 
the vast collective resources of its member institutions and promote the rapid translation of scientific advances 
for public good. The proposed randomized clinical trial reflects the growth and extension of ROC's successful 
trauma research program from prehospital resuscitation interventions to interventions within the hospital 
environment. This trial will use the ROC infrastructure to implement the protocol as well as to provide additional 
funding.  
 
4.1.2 ROC site selection  
8 sites have committed to participate in this study based on the following criteria:  
 
Site requirements: 
• 
Emergency medical services (EMS) agency commitment to administer study drug 
• 
24/7 research coordinator for bedside data collection, blood draw, and notification of study enrollment 
and consent for continued participation  
• 
Ability to obtain head CT scan as soon as possible after arrival and repeat head CT scan within 24 
hours  
• 
24/7 capability of performing TEG 
• 
24/7 neurosurgical capability  
• 
anticipated enrollment of ≥10 patients per month based on past experience 
 
A minimum of 10 level one trauma hospitals within the ROC network of regional and satellite clinical sites will 
participate based on high enrolling performance in previous ROC trauma studies and completeness of site 
materials needed for application submission. The sites are as follows: 
 
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 
Dallas, TX; University of Washington Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA; Oregon Health & Science 
University, Portland, OR; St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, CAN; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; 
University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 
 


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4.2 Methods and Techniques 
4.2.1 Objectives 
This will be a phase II multi-site, randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and 
safety of TXA administered in the prehospital setting in subjects with moderate to severe blunt and penetrating 
TBI (GCS ≤12) who are not in shock (SBP ≥ 90 mmHg). The primary outcome will be the proportion of subjects 
with a favorable neurologic outcome (defined as a GOS-E > 4) six months after injury.   The secondary 
outcomes will be volume of ICH progression, proportion of subjects with ICH progression, frequency of 
neurosurgical interventions, GOS-E measured at discharge, DRS measured at discharge and six months, 28-
day survival, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days. Safety will be assessed by evaluating the 
proportion of subjects experiencing cerebral ischemic events, MI, DVT, PE, and seizures measured from 
randomization through 28 days or discharge, whichever occurs first. Mechanistic endpoints including 
coagulation and fibrinolytic profiles will be examined to comprehensively characterize coagulation and provide 
insight into dynamic changes and their relationship to treatment and outcome. Additional blood will be collected 
and stored for future analysis of inflammatory markers. 
 
4.3 Inclusion Criteria 
Subjects must meet ALL of the following: 
1. Blunt or penetrating traumatic mechanism consistent with traumatic brain injury 
2. Prehospital GCS score ≤ 12 at any time prior to randomization and administration of sedative and/or 
paralytic agents 
3. Prehospital SBP ≥ 90 mmHg prior to randomization 
(SBP < 90 mmHg has been used as the entry criteria for nearly all major investigations studying the 
treatment of shock.67,68,69,70 Furthermore, prehospital hypotension has been associated with a dramatic 
increase in morbidity and mortality following severe TBI including a two-fold increase in the incidence of 
severe disability and death.71) 
4. Prehospital intravenous (IV) access 
5. Estimated Age ≥ 15 (or estimated weight > 50 kg if age is unknown) 
(Enrollment will be restricted to age ≥15 years or > 50 kg if age is unknown as these adolescents are of 
appropriate size to receive the full dose of TXA). 
6. EMS transport destination based on standard local practices determined to be a participating trauma 
center  
(Patients who are temporarily stabilized at an outside facility and transported to a participating center 
will be considered ‘modified scene patients’ and will remain eligible if all other inclusion and exclusion 
criteria are met). 
 
4.4 Exclusion Criteria 
Subjects are ineligible if they meet any of the following: 
1. Prehospital GCS=3 with no reactive pupil 
2. Estimated time from injury to start of study drug bolus dose > 2 hours 
3. Unknown time of injury - no known reference times to support estimation   
 (In the CRASH-2 trial when treatment was given beyond 3 hours from injury the RR of death increased 
to 1.44 (95% CI 1.12-1.84) demonstrating a harmful effect.) 
4. Clinical suspicion by EMS of seizure activity, acute MI or stroke, or known history, to the extent 
possible, of seizures, thromboembolic disorders or renal dialysis 
5. CPR by EMS prior to randomization 
6. Burns > 20% total body surface area (TBSA) 
7. Suspected or known prisoners (Defined as any individual involuntarily confined or detained in a penal 
institution or any individual in police custody who must have a police escort at all times and excluded 
due to their vulnerable population status.) 


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8. Suspected or known pregnancy – (Since there are no well controlled studies in pregnancy, women who 
are either known or suspected to be pregnant will be excluded. However, data regarding the use of 
TXA in pregnant women are available demonstrating no thrombogenic effects of TXA in a retrospective 
analysis of 256 women with bleeding disorders in pregnancy.72 No mutagenic activity of TXA has been 
shown in vitro or in vivo test systems73,74 and no fetal abnormalities were identified in early 
dysmorphology and reproductive studies in animals.75,76 ) 
9. Prehospital TXA or other pro-coagulant drug given prior to randomization 
10. Subjects who have activated the “opt-out” process when required by the local regulatory board. 
 
5. Intervention 
5.1 Screening Procedures 
Screening will be conducted in the prehospital setting by the initial EMS responder. Prehospital trauma life 
support interventions focusing on airway, breathing and circulation will be performed and an initial GCS score 
will be assessed by EMS to determine eligibility. The patient will be considered eligible if the initial GCS is ≤ 12 
and the SBP has remained ≥ 90 mmHg prior to randomization, and other inclusion/exclusion criteria are met. If 
the GCS improves to greater than 12 prior to randomization, the patient will not be randomized. If the initial 
GCS is > 12 and during transport declines to ≤ 12 prior to administration of sedating and/or paralytic 
medication, the patient will become eligible if the SBP has remained ≥ 90 mmHg prior to randomization. If the 
SBP drops below 90 mmHg between randomization and administration of study drug or anytime thereafter, the 
patient will remain in the study and continue to receive the study drug. 
 
5.2 Study Procedures 
5.2.1 Randomization  
Eligible patients will be randomly allocated in a proportion of 1:1:1 bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and 
placebo. Randomization assignments will be generated by the ROC DCC. To attempt balance by site, 
permuted blocks of varying concealed size will be used. Nevertheless, location of the episode and availability 
of providers determine which agency responds to the episode and the order in which the containers are used 
cannot be determined a priori. As a result, the randomization will represent a complete randomization rather 
than a permuted block randomization. 
 
5.2.2 Prehospital intervention 
Participating EMS vehicles will carry pre-randomized, sealed, numbered containers of study drug. After 
confirming the patient meets criteria for entry into the study, participating EMS providers will open the study 
drug kit on their vehicle. Patients are considered randomized if a study drug kit seal is broken in the presence 
of the patient based on the above screening criteria even if the drug is not administered. EMS providers will be 
instructed to obtain intravenous (IV) access prior to opening the study drug kit. Vascular access and fluid 
administration will be per standard protocol by the EMS agency. EMS will mix the drug and administer the 
bolus infusion as soon as life-saving interventions are performed. If IV medication in addition to TXA is required 
and only one IV access line is available, EMS will be instructed to clamp the IV tubing, flush the line with 10 ml 
saline, give the emergency drug IV push, flush the line again with 10 ml saline, and resume the TXA infusion. If 
the bolus infusion is stopped for reasons other than a protocol violation or a serious adverse event that may be 
associated with TXA, it is to be restarted and completed within 3 hours of the estimated time of injury either 
prior to ED arrival or after ED arrival and the in-hospital study drug infusion will be given. If it is anticipated that 
the bolus infusion cannot be completed within 3 hours of the estimated time of injury then it will not be resumed 
and the in-hospital study drug infusion will not be given. 
 


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After randomization, EMS will provide the kit ID# to research personnel upon arrival in the receiving ED. The 
research personnel will contact the study coordinating center and, using the kit ID#, obtain the unique code ID 
for the blinded study drug vial that matches the randomization assignment for the appropriate hospital infusion 
administration.  In the rare case that the patient is brought to a non-participating facility, all study interventions 
will stop, the patient or patient’s family member or legally authorized representative (LAR) will be informed that 
they were enrolled in the study and asked to give permission to obtain their medical information so they may 
be followed for primary and safety endpoints.  In order to avoid this event, patients will only be eligible for this 
study if a determination is made that their destination is a participating hospital.  This determination is made 
independent of the study and is based on standard local practices.  Therefore, enrollment in the study will not 
delay transport to the participating hospital with the exception of any delay related to administering the drug. 
 
 
5.2.3 In-hospital intervention 
Research personnel will be responsible for obtaining the unique code identifier (ID) for the in-hospital blinded 
study drug vial that matches the prehospital study drug kit ID# randomization assignment by contacting the 
ROC Data Coordinating Center (DCC) by automated web based or phone system. The vial labeled with this 
unique code ID will be used to prepare the maintenance infusion appropriate for the randomization assignment 
of either 1 gm TXA 8 hour infusion or placebo 8 hour infusion. The maintenance infusion will be administered 
as soon as possible after arrival, and every effort will be made to begin administration within 3 hours of arrival 
or within 3 hours of completion of the prehospital infusion. If the infusion is not begun within 6 hours of hospital 
arrival or 6 hours from completion of the prehospital infusion, it will not be given. If the prehospital bolus 
infusion is not complete by the time the patient arrives to the hospital, it will be allowed to completely infuse 
and the maintenance infusion will be hung after completion of the bolus infusion. The subject will continue to 
receive the study drug as assigned until: (1) the study drug has completed the infusion, (2) the subject is 
demonstrated to have a serum creatinine >2.0 mg/dL at any time during study drug infusion, (3) the subject 
has died, (4) the patient, patient’s family member or legally authorized representative (LAR) withdraws from the 
trial, (5) the subject is determined to be pregnant or a prisoner, or (6) the subject develops a thrombotic event 
(MI, PE, ischemic stroke, or symptomatic DVT) or seizure activity. If the patient is considered to be in 
hemorrhagic shock and the primary treatment team determines TXA should be administered as part of a 
massive transfusion protocol or based on local standard of care, emergency unblinding of the treatment arm 
will be immediately available to the hospital physician.  All additional hemostatic agents and blood products will 
continue to be administered based on the discretion of the individual provider and according to local standard 
of care and will be recorded. Patients who develop hemorrhagic shock after randomization will continue to 
receive local standard of care treatment. If the treatment team is treating the patient for hemorrhagic shock and 
local standard of care includes administration of TXA, emergency unblinding will be required. The hospital 
physician will contact the ROC DCC’s automated unblinding web base or phone system to obtain the field 
treatment arm if there is a need for rapid emergency unblinding. This will also automatically notify staff at the 
ROC DCC and the site research personnel via email of the emergency unblinding.  The decision to administer 
additional TXA based on the patient’s randomized treatment arm will be based on clinician judgment. 
 
5.2.4 Treatment arms 
There will be three treatment arms. The prehospital container for each treatment arm, also known as the study 
drug kit, will house the blinded study drug vial along with a label for a 250 mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride for 
the bolus dose and labels for the IV tubing to flag the patient as enrolled in the TXA for TBI study. An EMS 
vehicle will carry the study drug kit as a part of their stock supplies. Each kit will be assigned and labeled with a 
randomization number, which EMS will communicate to the hospital-based research personnel, who then 
initiates the steps necessary to prepare the hospital infusion for administration.  
 


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5.2.5 Drug manufacture and supply 
The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for the trial drug Tranexamic Acid Injection will be purchased from 
CUSTOPharm Inc. CUSTOPharm recently contracted with X Gen Pharmaceuticals Inc. for shared ownership 
of the API license. (see Appendix 4 for TXA Monograph) TXA Injection is a colorless solution packaged in a 
glass vial and manufactured by Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC in accordance with Good Manufacturing 
Practices (GMP). Exela will also manufacture the injectable placebo solution (sodium chloride 0.9%) in the 
same type of glass vial in accordance with GMP. The TXA and placebo vials, being identical in appearance, 
will be shipped separately in bulk to Almac Clinical Services. Almac will assemble the blinded study vials into 
custom study kits for the prehospital dose and in multiple mixed vial containers for the in-hospital dose, 
distribute them to the clinical sites and be responsible for maintaining the Product Specification File until final 
database lock and unblinding of the trial data.   
 
5.2.6 Blinding 
All providers will be blinded to the intervention assignment in a double blind manner. At no point will EMS or 
hospital providers be able to distinguish the treatment group unless emergency unblinding is required as 
described in section 5.2.3. Adherence to the treatment protocol will be carefully monitored and protocol 
deviations will be identified through the data collected or reported to the ROC DCC by study coordinators. The 
blinding process will involve labeling the prehospital study kits with randomization numbers that will be used as 
the package identification and labeling the in-hospital dose vials with unique code identifiers that can be 
matched to the study kit randomization numbers.  
 
5.2.7 Justification for dose selection 
The dose selection for the study drug is as follows: 
• Bolus/maintenance arm: 1 gram IV TXA in 250 mL administered wide open followed by a 1 gram 
maintenance IV TXA infusion over 8 hours (weight based equivalent: 50 kg person – bolus 20 mg/kg, 
maintenance 2.5 mg/kg/h; 75 kg person – bolus 13.3 mg/kg, maintenance 1.7 mg/kg/h; 100 kg person – 
bolus 10 mg/kg, maintenance 1.25 mg/kg/h) 
• Bolus only arm: 2 grams IV TXA in 250 mL administered wide open followed by a maintenance placebo 
infusion over 8 hours (weight based equivalent: 50 kg person – bolus 40 mg/kg; 75 kg person – 26.7 mg/kg 
bolus; 100 kg person – bolus 20 mg/kg) 
 
The doses of TXA to be used in this study are based on studies of TXA in previous trauma trials including the 
CRASH-2 trial of TXA in trauma patients with significant hemorrhage as well studies performed in surgical 
patients. Loading doses in these studies have ranged from 2.5 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg with maintenance doses 
ranging from 0.25 mg/kg/h to 4mg/kg/h over 1-12h.42 Studies evaluating different dosing regimens of TXA on 
bleeding and transfusions have demonstrated no significant difference between the higher and lower doses. In 
cardiac surgical patients, a 10 mg/kg loading dose of TXA followed by an infusion of 1 mg/kg/h resulted in 
plasma concentrations sufficient to inhibit fibrinolysis, with no additional hemostatic benefit afforded by higher 
doses.77,78 In the CRASH-2 trial, there was no difference in the rate of vascular occlusive events (1.7% TXA 
versus 2.0% placebo) and no reported adverse events. In a study of patients with isolated TBI, a single 2 gram 
dose decreased ICH progression with no adverse events.  
 
The dosing regimens in this proposal were chosen for the following reasons: 
1. A fixed dose is most feasible in a prehospital study. 
2. A single bolus dose without a maintenance infusion would be preferred for military application. 
3. The adjusted per kilo doses for both interventional arms are in the range shown to inhibit fibrinolysis and 
provide a potential benefit in larger patients (>100 kg), yet have been shown to be safe without adverse 
effects in smaller patients (<50 kg). 
 
Justification for using standard dosing in subjects with potential renal insufficiency: TXA is eliminated through 
renal excretion and thus, there is the potential risk of accumulation in patients with renal impairment; however, 


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the dosing regimen in both interventional arms of this trial involve either a low dose followed by a short course 
of TXA, or placebo, such that accumulation is expected to be minimal in either arm. For this study, if a history 
of renal dialysis is known by EMS prior to randomization, the patient will be excluded. If randomization has 
occurred and the patient’s hospital serum creatinine is greater than 2 mg/dL at any time prior to or during the 
study drug infusion, the study drug infusion will be terminated.  
 
Justification for use in subjects with potential hepatic impairment: Only a very small proportion of TXA is 
metabolized by the liver, thus there is no need for dose adjustment in hepatic impairment and 
pharmacodynamic interactions with other drugs should be minimal. 
 
Justification for use in subjects with subclinical seizure activity not evident to EMS or care providers: 
In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, high doses of TXA have been associated with seizures;79 however, in 
the CRASH-2 trial there were no reports of serious unexpected adverse events involving seizures in 20,211 
trauma patients using similar doses proposed in this trial. In one retrospective review in patients who had 
undergone pulmonary endarterectomy with hypothermia, an increase in seizure activity compared to aprotinin 
was observed in patients without structural brain lesions (7 versus 0, p=0.02); however, the doses given were 
significantly higher than the doses to be administered in this trial.80 For this study, observed seizure activity or 
a history of seizure activity will exclude the patient prior to randomization or, if randomization has occurred, 
cause administration of the study drug dose in the field or hospital to be stopped. 
 
5.3 Baseline Assessment 
The baseline data, including demographics, injury mechanism, prehospital and ED hemodynamic variables, 
time to definitive care, mode of transport, presence of TBI, and fluids and blood products administered within 
the first 24 hours after injury will be obtained by the research coordinator as soon as feasible.  
 
5.4 Clinical Data Collection 
Because patient enrollment will occur at the scene of injury, there is no opportunity for baseline assessment of 
the patient by the clinical research coordinator; however, the ROC has an established infrastructure to facilitate 
obtaining all prehospital records including accurate time data from computer aided dispatch reports for all 
patients. Upon arrival to the hospital, a research coordinator will be available 24/7 at all sites. Direct bedside 
data collection will begin when the subject arrives in the ED and will continue until the patient receives the 
initial head CT scan and the hospital infusion is begun or for one hour, whichever occurs later. The time of 
arrival and time of initial head CT scan will be documented. GCS will be documented at these same time 
points. Data to be collected during this time period will include all fluid administered including hypertonic saline, 
all pharmacologic interventions including mannitol, all blood product transfusions, any procoagulant 
medications administered, history of current use of anticoagulant medications, life-saving interventions 
including intubation, initial clinical laboratory results, and surgical/neurosurgical procedures.  
 
Data will be collected on a daily basis for the first 28 days of hospitalization or until discharge/death on all 
subjects who did not choose to discontinue further participation in the trial. Information collected will include 
demographics, injury scoring data, blood product transfusions, hemostatic medication administration, timing 
and dosing of DVT prophylaxis, GCS, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, neurosurgical 
interventions (including intracranial pressure monitor placement, brain tissue oxygen monitor placement, 
microdialysis catheter placement, ventriculostomy, and decompressive craniotomy/craniectomy), timing of 
clinically indicated repeat head CT scan (including GCS at the time of repeat CT), other surgical procedures, 
vital signs, and routine daily lab results. In those institutions where CT is repeated in all patients with 
intracranial bleeding by protocol, the 2nd CT will be performed 6 hours after the first.  Complications recorded 
will include the following: thromboembolic complications (stroke, DVT, PE, MI) including results of 
thromboembolic screening procedures (including MRI, duplex ultrasound, PE protocol CT scans, 
electrocardiograms [EKGs]), results of electroencephalograms (EEG) evaluating seizures, results of 
transcranial doppler evaluating vasospasm, multiple organ failure (Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score), acute 


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respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS - based on the Berlin definition), transfusion related ARDS, acute kidney 
injury, diabetes insipidus,  hyper- and hyponatremia, infections, and sepsis. A pre-specified list of clinically 
indicated available lab results will be recorded and commonly include blood alcohol level, complete blood 
count (CBC) with platelets, electrolyte panel, coagulation tests (aPTT/ INR), fibrinogen, troponin, lactate, 
arterial and venous blood gas, and urinalysis. In addition to the information collected daily, the final discharge 
diagnosis, and discharge destination (home, long-term acute care hospital, skilled facility, death) will be 
recorded. A discharge GOS-E and DRS as well as a Neurologic Assessment: Symptoms and Signs Present 
will be obtained at the time the subject is discharged from the hospital. A 6-month GOS-E and DRS as well as 
a Neurologic Assessment: Symptoms and Signs Present will be obtained at 6 months after injury. 
(See Appendix 3 GOS, GOSE,  DRS and Neurological Assessment: Symptoms and Signs Present) 
 
5.5 Research Laboratory Data Collection 
Blood samples will be collected during the first 48 hours after admission from all subjects who have not 
withdrawn participation in the trial. Blood samples will be collected upon arrival in the ED (time 0) for all 
enrolled/randomized subjects and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours (or discharge from hospital – whichever occurs 
first). Studies to be performed at these time points include measures of fibrinolytic pathway activity. Kaolin 
activated TEG will also be performed on citrated blood samples at these time points for functional analysis of 
coagulation. Available data from these studies will be for research use only and will not be available for clinical 
decision making. In addition to the studies listed above, blood will be collected and stored at the same time 
points for inflammatory marker analysis for which additional funding will be sought. Blood will be stored for 
future testing only related to TBI, intracranial hemorrhage, fibrinolytic pathway mediators and other coagulation 
factors. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such that the patient’s identity 
will not be able to be ascertained. We chose these 5 time points to provide a broad temporal survey of 
coagulation changes after TBI weighted toward early sampling to fully characterize the early phase of 
coagulopathy. Later sampling at 24 and 48 hours will allow characterization of the transition from a 
hypocoagulable to a hypercoagulable state and full examination of the effect of the intervention on coagulation 
and inflammation after TBI. All attempts will be made to obtain study samples at the pre-specified time intervals 
and samples at times 0, 6, and 12 hours must be collected within +/- 30 minutes. Sampling at 24 and 48 hours 
will be collected within +/- 2 hours. In the event that samples cannot be collected in this time frame, 
documentation regarding the reason will be noted on the data collection forms. Up to 23 ml of blood will be 
collected in addition to the clinical sampling at each time point. Samples will be collected by the clinical person 
responsible for implementing physician orders for laboratory testing. The clinical research staff will then be 
responsible for processing and shipping at each site. All samples drawn for research purposes will be identified 
by the study number, the site identification number and date/time of collection. No personal identifying 
information will be included on the samples processed for research purposes. Assays that require immediate 
processing (TEG and CBC) will be performed at each study site by trained personnel. Other samples will be 
spun, aliquotted, frozen at -80°C, bar coded, and batch shipped by the clinical research staff to the Trauma 
Research Institute of Oregon, Oregon Health & Science University. The research laboratory data will be 
entered into a web based relational database created for the lab measurement component of this trial. 
 
5.6 Image Collection and Processing 
To reduce observer variation, we will perform a central review of all CT scans, a process that is considered 
essential in multicenter trials utilizing imaging studies. Each site will obtain digital images of all head CT scans 
obtained during the first 28 days of the subject’s initial hospitalization in Digital Imaging and Communication in 
Medicine (DICOM) format, which will be made available electronically by remote access, on a storage device, 
or via a secured file transfer protocol (FTP) upload site to OHSU CCC within two weeks of a subject’s 
discharge from the enrolling hospital. All MRI scans will be uploaded via the same mechanism to the OHSU 
image repository. All images will be stored in a de-identified manner. Head CT scans will be reviewed centrally 
at OHSU under the direction of a neuroradiologist who will be blinded to the treatment group assignment. A 
technician will be trained to utilize software designed to obtain computerized measurements of ICH 
volumes. The central neuroradiologist will audit 10% of scans to verify that accurate and consistent 
measurements are obtained. MRI and CT scans will be maintained in the imaging repository for future 


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analyses that may include computer-aided lesion analysis and/or regional brain volumetrics. 
 
5.7 Concurrent Care 
Prehospital care: there is significant variability in EMS systems resulting in difficulties associated with 
attempting to standardize care. Prehospital airway, fluid and blood product administration will not be 
standardized; however, detailed prehospital data will be collected to determine if there are potential differences 
in important prognostic treatment variables among different study sites. We will encourage the study drug to be 
administered as soon as possible after life-saving interventions are performed and prior to administration of 
blood products; however, there may be circumstances where this is not feasible.   
In-hospital care: in order to minimize variability in subsequent management of TBI, all sites will have 24 hour 
neurosurgical capability and will encourage the implementation of management guidelines set forth by the 
Brain Trauma Foundation that are supported by evidence based medicine.9 Additionally, evidence-based 
guidelines and protocols for critical care management will be encouraged and monitored and will include the 
following: management of severe TBI, early use of head CT with liberal use of repeat head CT for patients with 
ICH, massive transfusion protocol, transfusion guidelines for trauma patients, early detection and treatment of 
myocardial infarction and stroke, mechanical ventilation protocol, sedation/analgesia protocol for mechanical 
ventilation, early nutritional support protocol, glucose control in the ICU, diagnosis & treatment of ventilator 
associated pneumonia, adherence to surviving sepsis campaign guidelines, and venous thromboembolism 
surveillance and prophylaxis protocol for prevention.  In cases where a repeat CT is clinically indicated, it will 
be performed at approximately 6 hours. 
 
5.8 Early Termination of Study Drug  
 
When EMS personnel open the blinded study drug kit, the patient is enrolled and randomized and will be 
included in the primary statistical analysis if the study drug is connected to the patient’s IV access. The study 
drug will be terminated by EMS or by hospital providers for any of the reasons below. 
 
• 
Prehospital provider suspects the patient has developed a thrombotic event (MI,  ischemic stroke, ) or 
seizure activity OR after hospital arrival the patient develops a thrombotic event (MI, PE, ischemic 
stroke, or symptomatic DVT) or seizure activity  
• 
The patient requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)!
• 
The patient, patient’s family member or legally authorized representative (LAR) withdraws from the 
study 
• 
The patient is discovered to be pregnant  
• 
A serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL is obtained 
• 
The patient requires administration of Factor IX Complex concentrates or Anti-inhibitor Coagulant 
concentrates 
• 
The patient is discharged from the hospital prior to completion of the 8 hour infusion 
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6. Study Outcome Measures 
6.1 Primary Outcome Measure: 6 Month Neurologic Outcome 
Two National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus conferences have addressed clinical trial design for 
interventions designed to impact outcome from TBI.81,82 The first emphasized the importance of assessing long 
term outcome following brain injury and recommended use of the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) for subjects 
with severe brain injury (GCS ≤ 8) and the DRS for subjects with less severe brain injury (GCS 8-13).81 A 
subsequent conference recommended a 6 month follow-up utilizing outcomes that are “measurable, 
standardized, and relevant to lifestyle.”82 Specifically they recommended the use of the GOS-E. The rationale 
for this recommendation is that the GOS-E provides a better distinction between levels of disability, particularly 


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within the severe disability groups, while the GOS combines a wider range of disability into one category. 
Furthermore, combining the GOS-E with the DRS increases the ability to detect improvement following 
TBI.83,84,85,86 
 
Detailed neurocognitive, behavioral, and psychological testing has been advocated for full assessment of 
neurologic outcome following TBI. This approach requires that the patient return to the trauma center for 
intensive testing and requires extensive training for those administering the assessments. This approach has 
not been directly compared against the most widely used measures of GOS-E and DRS. Furthermore, recent 
experience with this approach in a TBI outcome study demonstrated a 50% rate of refusal by the patients to 
return for this detailed testing.87 Thus, application of these outcome assessments in this trial would exceed 
available resources, increase the risk of poor inter-rater reliability, and result in inadequate follow-up rates for 
subsequent analysis.  
 
Extended Glasgow Outcome Score:  The GOS was first proposed by Jennet and Bond in 1975.88 It is a simple 
four-point scale based on the degree of patient disability. It has been widely adopted based on its simplicity 
and high inter-rater reliability.89,90,91 An Extended Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS-E) was subsequently 
developed which further subdivides the categories of severe and moderate disability and good recovery.92 
Structured telephone interviews have been developed and validated for both the GOS and GOS-E and these 
questions will be incorporated into our follow-up survey.86,92 For each level of function, the baseline function 
prior to injury is assessed to ensure that the deficit can be attributed to the event. The GOS and GOS-E have 
been shown to correlate well with several other outcome measurements after TBI including neuropsychological 
and cognitive testing, the DRS, and measures of perception of health (SF-36).85,92,93 The GOS-E will be 
assessed at discharge and at 6 months after injury. The GOS-E measured at 6 months will be the primary 
outcome for this trial. 
 
Outcome assessment: Outcome assessment will be performed by telephone survey that includes the key 
components of the GOS-E and will be administered to patients or their caregivers at the time of discharge for 
baseline assessment and at 6 months after injury. Attempts will be made to contact the patient directly; 
however, for patients who are severely disabled, information will be obtained from the primary caregiver. 
Reliability will be assessed and if the patient is determined to be unreliable, a caregiver will be sought to 
complete the survey. Previous studies demonstrate that caregiver assessment is a valid means of assessing 
these outcome parameters.92,103,94 Previous follow-up in the TBI population demonstrate variable success in 
achieving adequate response rates ranging from 73% to 99% follow-up at 6 months.95,96,97 The ROC DCC has 
extensive experience with long-term outcome assessment in both TBI and non-TBI populations. In a large 
multi-institutional study evaluating prehospital hypertonic saline administration in TBI conducted by the ROC, 
an 85% response rate was achieved.98 We will utilize this model that includes a detailed contact list collected 
from the patient or family and friends prior to discharge and a log for tracking follow-up attempts by the study 
coordinators. The Public Access Defibrillator trial used a similar follow-up method and although not a trauma 
trial, this model resulted in 100% follow-up for the primary endpoint.99 In addition, telephone contact at one 
month post discharge will be initiated to establish a relationship and commitment for the 6 month interview. 
 
6.2 Secondary Outcome Measures 
• 
Clinical outcomes: Observed volume (absolute and relative) of ICH progression, proportion of patients who 
develop observed ICH progression (as defined below), Rotterdam and Marshall CT classification scores, 
DRS at discharge and 6 months, GOS-E at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days.  
• 
Safety outcomes:  Development of seizures, cerebral ischemic events, MI, DVT, PE 
• 
Mechanistic outcomes: Alterations in fibrinolysis based on fibrinolytic pathway mediators and degree of clot 
lysis based on kaolin activated TEG and defined as LY30 or the per cent lysis that occurs 30 minutes after 
maximum amplitude (MA) is achieved. 
 


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ICH progression is associated with an increased need for neurosurgical intervention and is independently 
associated with a 5-fold increased mortality in patients with TBI.21 If seizures or other adverse outcomes are 
found in this trial, it will be important to balance the potential benefit in reduction of ICH progression with the 
risk of an adverse outcome to determine the overall impact of TXA. All clinically indicated head CT scans 
obtained during the initial hospitalization or within the first 28 days will be assessed for ICH. All cerebral and 
carotid/vertebrobasilar CT and standard angiograms will be assessed for blunt cerebrovascular injury. 
Parenchymal, subdural and epidural hemorrhage volumes will be measured and quantified using volumetric 
software and verified by manual calculations based on the previously validated ABC/2 technique as needed. 
100 Ten percent of all scans will be audited by a single neuroradiologist for accuracy.  Each case in which a 
disparity is detected will be discussed with the neuroradiologist resulting in review of additional cases and 
retraining of the technologist as necessary.   Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) will be categorized as ≤ 5 mm 
or > 5 mm. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) will be visually assessed as present or absent on all scans with 
progression determined by direct comparison of studies by a neuroradiologist. New focal ischemic lesions will 
be defined as an area of focal low attenuation in a distribution indicating an arterial ischemic cause rather than 
a traumatic contusion and will be rated using a validated scale for ischemic stroke.60  Mass effect will be 
defined as sulcal effacement, ventricular effacement, uncal herniation, cistern compression, and midline shift. 
The following outcome measures will be recorded: the difference in the total hemorrhage volume across scans, 
determination of significant hemorrhage progression between scans defined as greater than a 33% increase, 
presence of a new ICH, worsening of SAH grade, worsening IVH or mass effect, and the development of new 
focal cerebral ischemic lesions. We have chosen to define progression of subdural, epidural and 
intraparenchymal hemorrhages as an increase of > 33% over baseline based on the description by Brott et 
al.101 This number is based on the following: a 33% change in the volume of a sphere corresponds to a 10% 
increase in diameter, which is considered a clear difference to the naked eye of a physician viewing serial CT 
scans of a patient with an ICH.101 Thus, this difference can be assessed clinically without using volumetric 
software applications. Second, previous experience suggests variability in measurement of lesions may occur 
due to variation in patient positioning and angles of the CT slice images rather than to an actual increase in 
hemorrhage volume, especially for small hemorrhages. Thus, by using an increase of > 33%, our CT definition 
of intraparenchymal, subdural, and epidural hemorrhage progression is conservative and is more likely to 
represent true hemorrhage growth as opposed to variability in CT imaging.101 All MRI scans during the initial 
hospital stay performed as part of routine clinical care will be uploaded with CT imagines to the imaging 
repository for future analyses that may include computer-aided lesion analysis and/or regional brain 
volumetrics. 
 
The DRS is designed to classify patients based on their degree of function after brain injury. The DRS consists 
of 8 items that fall into 4 categories: a) arousability, awareness and responsivity, b) cognitive ability for self-
care activities, c) dependence on others, and 3) psychosocial adaptability.102 The DRS has been reported to be 
more sensitive than the GOS-E for changes in function over the first year following injury.103 This may be 
particularly important for patients with moderate TBI. In this trial we will be enrolling patients with both 
moderate and severe brain injury. The DRS will be administered to patients or their caregivers at the time of 
discharge for baseline assessment and at 6 months after injury by telephone survey along with the GOS-E. 
 
Laboratory assessment of coagulation will include fibrinolytic pathway mediators. These mediators are 
important in the fibrinolytic pathway and will provide insight into the mechanism underlying an observed 
treatment effect. TEG will be performed at serial time points as a viscoelastic measure of coagulation and 
fibrinolysis. 
 
7.  Sample Size for the Primary Outcome 
The primary outcome is favorable neurologic function at 6 months after injury based on the GOS-E > 4.   Good 
outcome corresponds to either moderate disability or good recovery (GOS-E > 4), while poor outcome 
corresponds to death, vegetative state, or severe disability (GOS-E ≤ 4). The total sample size in the primary 
analysis population will be 963 (321 per group). The sample will include randomized patients for whom the 


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treatment is started (modified intention to treat population). Power computations were based on a comparison 
of binomial probabilities with assumed variance larger than given by the binomial distribution; the hypothesized 
additional variance would be contributed by the multiple imputation of outcomes for subjects with missing 
outcome data.  Based on results from the TBI cohort in the ROC hypertonic saline trial, 98 we assumed that 
40% of subjects treated only with placebo would have a poor neurologic outcome (GOSE≤4) at 6 months, that 
15% of subjects would be missing 6-month outcome data, and that the per-subject additional variance 
contributed by the multiple imputation of the outcomes was 10-6.  Under these assumptions, our sample size 
will allow for 80% power to detect a 7.1% absolute increase in a favorable GOS-E (> 4) at six months post 
injury comparing the combined TXA treatment groups to placebo, using a one-sided, level 0.1 test. Similarly, in 
testing for harm, this sample size will allow for 80% power to detect an absolute decrease of 9.5% in the 
proportion of patients with a favorable long-term neurologic outcome, using a one-sided, level 0.025 test. 
 
8.  Analysis Plan 
8.1 Primary Analysis 
Primary analysis: The primary analysis will be a modified intention to treat analysis that will include all patients 
who were randomized and began treatment. Because of the double-blind design of the study, this analysis 
tests the primary study hypothesis, and with slightly higher power than an analysis of all randomized patients. 
The primary analysis of this endpoint will use multiple imputation methods to account for missing outcome 
data, and logistic regression adjusting for site, to compare the combined TXA treatment arms to the placebo 
arm and estimate the adjusted odds ratio to describe the strength of the association between TXA treatment 
and favorable GOS-E at 6 months104,105,106. To reduce the chances that we will fail to demonstrate a possible 
treatment effect in this phase II study, a one-sided hypothesis test at the 0.1 level will be performed to compare 
the combination of the two treatment groups to the placebo group.  To evaluate the possibility that TXA 
treatment reduces the proportion of patients with good neurologic outcome at six months, a one-sided test at 
the .025 level will be conducted.  
 
• Safety population: Analysis of treatment safety will be conducted on all patients who had the study drug 
connected to their IV line.  Safety data will be reported on a regular basis to the Resuscitation 
Outcomes Consortium Data Safety Monitoring Board (ROC DSMB).   
 
 
 
 
8.2 Pre-Specified Secondary Subgroup Analyses 
 
Secondary analyses of the primary endpoint will additionally adjust for baseline prognostic factors including 
age, gender, prehospital GCS, mechanism of injury, and injury severity. Analyses for secondary outcomes that 
are binary will be conducted similarly. Additional secondary analyses of the primary endpoint will compare 
each treatment group separately to placebo, and the two treatment groups to each other. For quantitative 
secondary outcomes, linear regression analysis with robust standard errors will be used to test for treatment- 
placebo differences and to estimate the mean outcome difference associated with treatment, after adjustment 
for site and prognostic variables. Evidence for modification of the effect of treatment in the efficacy population 
by the presence or absence of additional prognostic factors will be examined using interaction terms in linear 
or logistic regression models, and estimated treatment differences will be reported separately in subgroups 
together with the statistical significance of the associated hypothesis tests for interaction. It is recognized that 
this study is not powered adequately to detect interactions and thus subgroup analyses will be considered 
exploratory, generating hypotheses for further study. 
 


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A priori subgroup analyses will compare outcome between both the combined and individual TXA treatment 
groups and the placebo group in: 
1. Patients who met all inclusion and exclusion criteria 
2. Patients who received the full intervention/placebo 
3. Patients who receive the prehospital intervention/placebo only 
4. Patients with an ICH on initial head CT and repeat head CT performed within 24 hours 
5. Patients with blunt vs. penetrating TBI 
6. Patients with Head AIS score ≥ 4 
7. Patients with Head AIS score <2 (altered mental status likely secondary to intoxication and not 
significant TBI) 
8. Patients requiring emergent craniotomy 
9. Patients stratified by no PRBC received versus 1-9 units PRBC received versus ≥ 10 units PRBC 
received in the first 24 hours 
10. Patient who require TXA administration for hemorrhagic shock after being randomized in the study 
 
8.3 Mechanistic Outcomes 
Due to the large number of outcomes and potential analyses, results of analyses of these outcomes will be 
treated as exploratory and will be used to inform the design of future studies that may result in clinical 
recommendations. These results will be summarized descriptively and will be analyzed using the same 
methods as for the secondary outcomes in order to give insight into the mechanism(s) underlying the observed 
treatment effects. Results will be reported using point estimates and the 95% confidence intervals rather than 
p-values. 
 
8.4 Plan for Missing Data 
All possible efforts will be made to avoid missing outcome data.  These include collecting detailed contact 
information from a variety of different sources prior to hospital discharge (address, email, other family 
members, friends, physicians), contacting the patient/family within one month of discharge to establish a 
continued relationship, and integrating TXA follow-up with other medical follow-up (e.g. clinic, physical 
therapy).  For the primary analyses, any missing outcomes will most likely be due to study patients withdrawing 
from participation in post-discharge follow-up or dropping-out. Neurological status at discharge is highly 
correlated with neurological status at 6 months.107 Specifically, we anticipate that patients who have a “good 
outcome” at discharge tend to improve and not get worse and those that have a “poor outcome” tend to remain 
at the same status or improve. In primary analyses, multiple imputation methods will be used to account for 
missing outcome data. 108,109,110  Sensitivity analyses will consider modified worst-case (last observed GOS-E 
score minus 1) for missing outcomes in all treatment arms, and a modified best-case (last observed GOS-E 
score plus 1) for missing outcomes in all treatment arms. 
 
 
8.5 Sequential Monitoring Plan 
!
Because of the fear that selection criteria based only on field data may potentially include subjects who would 
not be able to benefit from TXA treatment, one formal futility analysis will be conducted based on outcome data 
from the first 200 subjects in the analysis population and reported to the ROC DSMB, using a Wang-Tsiatis 
boundary.111 The early stopping for futility is described in Table 1. The futility stopping rule would categorize 
results at the first analysis as futile if the observed crude difference in probabilities of a bad neurologic 
outcomes (GOSE < 5 at 6 months post injury) corresponded to an absolute increase of 6.8%.  As can be seen 
from the 95% confidence interval, this futility decision would nearly rule out the hypothesized improvement of 
7.1%. 


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Table 1: Protocol Stopping Rule 
 
Futility Boundary 
Efficacy Boundary 
N 
accrued 
Z 
Crude Diff 
Est (95% CI; one-sided P) 
Z 
Crude 
Diff 
Est (95% CI; one-sided P) 
First 
200 
0.955 
.068 
-.047 (-.072, .125); P = .82 
NA 
NA 
NA 
Second 
963 
-1.266 
-.042 
-.048(-.109, .022); P = .10 
-1.266 
-.042 
-.048(-.109, .022); P = .10 
 
Table 2 presents the probability of declaring superiority, futility or inferiority for selected hypothesized values of 
the true treatment effect.  The incorporation of the futility stopping rule affects the power of the study to detect 
benefit of TXA very little, moving the minimal absolute treatment difference that can be detected with 80% 
power from -0.070 to -0.071. 
Treatment Diff 
Pr[superior] 
 (power) 
Pr[Futile] 
Pr[inferior] 
-.071 
.80 
.20 
0 
-.05 
.59 
.41 
0 
-.03 
.35 
.64 
0 
-.02 
.25 
.75 
.01 
-.01 
.16 
.82 
.01 
0 
.10 
.88 
.02 
.01 
.06 
.90 
.05 
.02 
.03 
.89 
.09 
.05 
0 
.68 
.31 
.10 
0 
.16 
.84 
!
 
 
8.6 Adverse and Serious Adverse Events 
TXA has been in use for decades and the safety profile is well established. Adverse events will be reviewed by 
the sponsor, which is the ROC DCC, as required by 21 CFR part 312 in addition to other entities delineated. 
The trial will collect data on adverse events that may be associated with the use of TXA in TBI. These events 
will be reviewed by an independent medical monitor and reported regularly to the ROC data safety monitoring 
board (ROC DSMB). The ROC DSMB is a distinct and separate entity from the ROC DCC and functions 
independently from the sponsor. 
 
While there have been rare cases of thromboembolic events and seizures potentially associated with TXA use, 
usually at higher doses, there is no evidence that the TXA treatment regimen proposed in this trial is 
associated with an increased risk of vascular occlusive events or seizures. Nonetheless, data on vascular 
occlusive events and seizures will be collected as secondary outcomes and will be provided to the independent 
medical monitor and ROC DSMB for unblinded review as necessary. Emergency unblinding will be 
immediately available if the primary treatment team determines TXA should be administered based on 
standard of care (i.e. patients in hemorrhagic shock). While we do not anticipate additional need to perform 
emergency unblinding, in the event that unblinding is deemed necessary for safety or treatment related 
decisions during the course of the study, emergency unblinding will be available to the hospital physician. 
 
An adverse event (AE) will be defined as any untoward medical occurrence affecting a trial participant during 
the course of the trial. A serious adverse event (SAE) will be defined as any medical occurrence that results in 
death, is life-threatening, requires ICU admission, requires prolongation of existing hospitalization, or results in 
persistent or significant disability. All members of the patient management team will be instructed as to the 


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possible adverse events prior to the start of the trial and will be given an emergency contact number to 
immediately report any suspected adverse event to the site investigators.  Any deaths not explained by the 
injury severity will be reported individually according to regulations regarding serious adverse events. In 
addition, serious adverse events will be reported in aggregate by blinded treatment group to the medical 
monitor and ROC DSMB on a regular basis. All adverse events that occur during the study period (after 
randomization until hospital discharge) will be recorded on the ROC DCC Alert forms found online. All potential 
adverse events will be reviewed as to the assigned treatment group and further classified by: a) severity (life 
threatening, serious, non-serious) and b) expected versus unexpected. Expected adverse events, assessed by 
the site PI, will be monitored by each enrolling site, reported to overseeing agencies as required by federal 
regulations and local requirements, and reviewed periodically by the ROC DSMB. The ROC DCC will tabulate 
and report on non-SAEs on a regular basis. 
 
Suspected Unanticipated Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR): Unanticipated serious adverse reactions will 
include potentially related SAEs suspected to be related to study treatment/intervention. The site PI will classify 
all in-hospital mortality according to underlying and contributing causes most relevant to TBI and other life- 
saving interventions. 
 
Expected Adverse Events: Common expected adverse events will include: death related to TBI, infectious 
complications, ventilator assisted pneumonia, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute 
kidney injury, and multiple organ failure.  Counts of these will be tabulated and reported to the ROC Data 
Safety and Monitoring Committee on a regular basis. 
 
SUSAR Reporting Procedure and Databases: In addition to following local reporting procedures, sites will 
notify the ROC DCC of a SUSAR or possible thrombotic or seizure related death within 3 business days of 
discovery of the event, and the site will complete an FDA MedWATCH Form within 7 days of notification and 
within 15 days of notification if the SUSAR is not life threatening. For a SUSAR, the ROC DCC will notify the 
medical monitor, ROC DSMB, appropriate regulatory agencies (FDA, Health Canada), ROC DCC IRB, site 
IRBs/Research Ethics Boards (REB), and the Department of Defense (DoD) promptly.  
 
All unanticipated problems involving risk to subjects or others, serious adverse events related to participation in 
the study and subject deaths related to participation in the study must be promptly reported by phone (301-
619-2165), by email (usarmy.detrick.medcom:usamrmc.other.hrpo@mail.mil), or by facsimile (301-619-7803) 
to the USAMRMC, Office of Research Protections, Human Research Protection Office. A complete written 
report will follow the initial notification. In addition to the methods above, the complete report will be sent to the 
U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, ATTN: MCMR-RP, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, 
Maryland 21702-5000-us. 
 
Infusion Discontinuation Rules: Any thromboembolic event (MI, PE, ischemic stroke, or symptomatic DVT) or 
seizure activity will prompt cessation of the infusion and a medical safety review. Further detail regarding 
specific clinical indications for stopping the study drug early will be provided in the manual of operations. 
 
8.7 Other Adverse Events 
Due to the short duration of the study and the six-month time period between enrollment and primary outcome 
measurement, there will be no formal interim analysis, however, regular ROC DSMB meetings will be held 
every six months. All other adverse events will be reported to an independent medical monitor and chair of the 
ROC DSMB, reviewed at regular ROC DSMB meetings and included in a safety report to the FDA. All adverse 
events and protocol violations will be reviewed. The Chair of the ROC DSMB can convene additional meetings 
as necessary. 


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8.8 Roles and Responsibilities of the Medical Monitor 
An independent medical monitor will review all unexpected problems involving risk to subjects or others, SAEs 
and all deaths related to TBI and provide an unbiased written report of the events. At a minimum, the medical 
monitor must comment on the outcomes of the event or problem and in case of an SAE or TBI-related death, 
comment on the relationship to participation in the trial. Because a moderate number of deaths (approximately 
15% based on Trauma Epistry Registry data for patients with GCS ≤ 12)7 are expected due to the presence of 
moderate and severe TBI in the subjects enrolled prior to the intervention, individual reports to the ROC DSMB 
will be aggregated and reported on a timely schedule acceptable to the ROC DSMB. If the death is considered 
unexpected and is either suspected or probably due to treatment, this event will be promptly reported to the 
medical monitor and the ROC DSMB. The medical monitor must also indicate whether he/she concurs with the 
details of the report provided by the principal investigator. Reports for serious adverse events determined by 
either the investigator or medical monitor to be possibly or definitely related to participation must be promptly 
reported per FDA, DoD and/or Health Canada guidelines.   
 
Dr. Ernest Moore is the independent medical monitor for this study. He has committed to comply with the 
following statements: 
The monitor: 
[ X ] 
Is independent of the research team. 
[ X ] 
Possesses sufficient educational and professional experience to serve as a subject advocate. 
[ X ] 
Will promptly report discrepancies or problems to the IRB. 
[ X ] 
Has the authority to stop the research in progress, remove individual subjects  
            from the research, and take whatever steps are necessary to protect the  
            safety and well-being of the subjects until the IRB can assess the monitor’s report. 
8.9 Data Entry 
The ROC DCC uses a sophisticated secure data entry website with a separate home page for each protocol 
that allows case initiation and look up, access to references such as web entry instructions, form worksheets, 
manual of operations, a form completion matrix, training resources, a request system used as a formal channel 
of communication between the sites and the ROC DCC and an on-line inventory management system.  To 
permit managing thousands of subjects in all its studies and registries, the website has an interactive episode 
list that allows filtering, sorting, and accessing cases and specific forms of interest.  The data entry website 
employs many kinds of data entry quality controls, including field checks, within-form consistency checks, 
across-form consistency checks, and across protocol-case consistency checks.  Some checks cannot be 
bypassed, some can be overridden with an optional explanation, and some can be overridden only after 
consulting with the ROC DCC project managers.  The system provides live reporting on these checks to 
enable the ROC DCC to detect large and/or subtle patterns of data entry error. A flexible monitoring system 
allows for email notification to the ROC DCC and the addition of an alert form to the episode when data 
entered could be considered a protocol violation or deviation. All actions on the data entry website, such as 
modification of forms, are logged with the user and a timestamp to provide a complete history of any data point 
in the database. This facilitates resolution of any question arising from incidental and routine review of the 
data. 
 
8.10 Database Management 
Data collection and analysis will be organized into 3 tiers. First, data will be collected via the web as described 
above into the data collection relational database; most quality control measures will be employed at this stage 
to ensure data entry quality.  Data will be pulled from this database and formed into a 2nd transitional 
database.  At this stage, additional data that are not directly the result of data entry will be added, such as 
calculated variables.  Data can then be exported for analysis in most statistical software packages. 
 


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Computer servers are housed either on site at the ROC DCC or are managed by University of Washington 
Information Technology (UW-IT) at one of the UW data centers. Daily backups are made of the most important 
data: the web portal, relational database, the shared file server, and key files from personal computers. Tape 
backups of the same data are made and taken offsite on a weekly rotation, and scheduled less frequently, a 
tape backup is kept offsite in accordance with current applicable UW records retention policies. 
9.  Human Subjects Research 
9.1 Potential risks 
The patients in this study will be randomized to 1 gram TXA bolus with 1 gram TXA 8-hour maintenance 
infusion versus 2 gram TXA bolus with placebo 8-hour maintenance infusion versus placebo bolus and 8-hour 
maintenance infusion. TXA has been associated with seizures and increased risk of thrombotic events. These 
potentially negative outcomes form the basis for the secondary outcome measures. Children estimated to be 
less than 15 years of age, women who are known to be pregnant, and prisoners will be excluded from this trial. 
The ROC DCC will advise the site IRB/REB’s and clinical investigators that review and approval of the protocol 
must satisfy the applicable sections of 21 CFR 50 Subpart D, Additional Safeguards for Children in Clinical 
Investigations. 
 
In accordance with FDA regulations, we will develop an adverse event reporting system to identify and treat 
any potential adverse events. We intend to closely monitor the clinical course of all patients enrolled in this trial 
to identify any expected or unexpected adverse events. Data regarding adverse events will be collected in both 
a structured (standard form) and open (describing any difficulties encountered) format. Expedited serious 
adverse events will be reported by the ROC DCC to the Medical Monitor, FDA, ROC DSMB, DoD, ROC IRB 
and site IRB/REB’s in the timelines as required by 21 CFR 312.32. In addition, aggregate reports regarding 
other safety endpoints will be reviewed by the ROC DSMB at their meetings. 
 
9.2 Potential Benefits to Placebo Arm 
Due to the Hawthorne effect, patients in both arms of the study may anticipate improved outcomes due to the 
additional training and focus by both prehospital and hospital personnel. The benefit to society involves a 
critical evaluation of antifibrinolytic therapy in a patient population that is likely to benefit from the intervention. 
Results from this study could form the basis for a significant improvement in the management of TBI. 
9.3 Protection Against Risks 
9.3.1 Protection of Human Subjects and Consent 
This study qualifies for the “Exception from informed consent required for emergency research” outlined in FDA 
regulation 21CFR50.24.  
1. Subjects are in a life threatening situation and collection of valid scientific evidence is necessary to 
determine the safety and effectiveness of the particular interventions 
2. Obtaining informed consent is not feasible because the subject cannot give reasonable consent due to 
medical condition, intervention must be given before consent can be obtained from a LAR, and cannot 
prospectively select subject 
3. There is prospect of direct benefit to subject because they are in a life-threatening situation requiring 
intervention, risks associated with this study are reasonable compared to standard of care therapy 
4. The research could not be practically be carried out without the waiver 
5. Diligent attempts will be made to contact the LAR or family member for them to object to subject’s 
continued study participation within the protocol-defined therapeutic window. 
6. IRB has reviewed and approved the informed consent procedures and documents to be used with the 
subjects or LAR for this study 


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7. Additional protection of rights will be provided which will include: community consultation and public 
notification, an established independent data safety monitoring committee, and efforts will be made to 
obtain informed consent from family members if the LAR is not available 
 
A detailed explanation of each criterion stipulated in the regulations for this exception and how our trial design 
applies to these criteria is outlined in Appendix1. 
 
This study qualifies for the “Exception from informed consent required for emergency research” outlined in FDA 
regulation 21CFR50.24. Based on previous data, TXA is anticipated to be most effective if administered 
immediately following injury. In this uncontrolled setting the patient has an altered mental status secondary to 
brain injury, which can cause confusion and loss of consciousness. As a result, the patient is unable to provide 
consent for study enrollment. Legal next-of-kin are often not immediately available at the injury scene, nor is it 
typically feasible for the prehospital or ED providers to explain the study and receive consent while caring for 
the critically injured patient. Taken together, these issues provide sufficient support for an exception from 
informed consent in order to evaluate an intervention that may have significant outcome benefits to this patient 
population.  For the rare scenario where family members and/or next of kin are available at the injury scene 
and an opportunity for consenting them presents itself, a short script providing information regarding the study 
will be made available to the family members/next of kin such that they have an opportunity to withdraw 
consent for the patient’s participation in the study. Once the subject arrives in the hospital the site principal 
investigator or a designated member of the research team will make frequent attempts as soon as feasible, per 
local IRB/REB requirements, to contact a LAR and/or family member to obtain consent for continued 
participation and provide an opportunity to withdraw from participation in the study. A verbal withdrawal will be 
considered binding. Attempts to contact will include direct contact, telephone contact and written contact or any 
other contact options as approved by local IRB/REB policy. An assessment will be done at the time of 
approaching the LAR/subject for consent to assure the LAR and/or subject is competent to make a sound 
decision regarding the consent process. In the event that the subject does not survive following the traumatic 
injury, their information will be included in the data analysis. Written notification may be sent to the deceased‘s 
family regarding their participation in the study, per local IRB/REB policy. Due to the severity of the injuries 
incurred, it is difficult to specify the time frame involved with obtaining the consent, however multiple attempts 
will be made to obtain consent prior to completion of the study requested blood tests (72 hours after hospital 
arrival).   
 
The requirements for community consultation/public disclosure will be determined by each institution’s local 
IRB/REB. All sites have experience conducting random telephone surveys as well as developing and 
completing community consultation and public disclosure processes. The ability and method of opting out of 
the study will be determined by local IRBs/REBs. Community consultation will be undertaken prior to IRB/REB 
approval. Because the population eligible for enrollment includes all citizens in the study regions, it will not be 
possible to target specific individuals although the local IRB/REB may suggest targeting specific groups such 
as teenagers. The community consultation plan for each study site will be individualized to fit the IRB/REB 
requirements. The ROC sites have considerable experience conducing community consultation and have 
published these experiences. A variety of methods are employed including consultation with community 
leaders and targeted community groups, random telephone surveys, and community meetings.  Most sites 
provide an “opt out” process determined by their local IRB/REB. This process allows members of the 
community to identify themselves if they choose not to be involved in the study. The associated “opt out” 
identifier is often in the form of bracelets or identification card. Prehospital personnel will be trained to check for 
these “opt out” identifiers prior to enrolling any patient.  Public disclosures will be performed both prior to study 
enrollment and at the completion of the study in the form of multimedia press releases organized by the ROC 
and by local sites. Local sites may decide to target notification to specific community groups such as 
teenagers, biking clubs, motorcycle clubs, etc. at the direction of the local IRB/REB. These will include plans 
for the study, including potential risks and benefits, equipoise and a summary of the results of the study upon 
completion. In the event that the press releases are not widely circulated, advertisements will also be placed in 
local papers describing the study. Information regarding the study will also be available on the ROC website.  
 


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9.3.2 Vulnerable populations 
Across the US and Canada the laws defining the adult population as related to consent differ from an age of 15 
years at the youngest to 21 years at the oldest.  In order to consider this wide variability, all consent related 
procedures, forms, and notification documents will be approved by the participating sites local IRBs or 
Canadian Research Ethics Boards (REBs) prior to the onset of the study. 
 
This study may include subjects age 15 to 20. Subjects sixteen years of age and older are considered as adult 
trauma subjects in a large percent of the trauma centers. Sixteen and seventeen year olds are able to drive in 
most states and are at high risk for motor vehicle accidents resulting in blunt or penetrating injuries. Excluding 
this age group would significantly decrease our efforts to randomize 963 subjects in a one year period of time. 
Additionally, it is difficult to differentiate a 16 or 17 year old from one who is 21 or older at the time care is 
initiated in the prehospital setting until positive identification can be obtained. Children below the age of 15 or 
50 kg body weight will be excluded from this trial. Children‘s intravascular volume is different than the adult‘s, 
requiring adjustments to the standard adult treatment protocols. In addition, this study will be conducted at 
Level I trauma centers which may or may not have affiliated pediatric programs. 
 
Known or suspect pregnant women will be excluded from this study due to the lack of controlled studies in this 
population.   
 
Suspected or known prisoners (defined as any individual involuntarily confined or detained in a penal institution 
or any individual in police custody who requires a police escort at all times) are excluded. It is possible that 
subjects may be enrolled who are under observation as suspects and become prisoners at some point during 
their hospitalization or following discharge.  Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) approval of an 
IRB/REB prisoner certification allows the research procedures and data collection to continue for any patient 
who becomes a prisoner after enrollment. As with any other enrolled subject, consenting and/or notifying the 
patient, family, and/or LAR with the option to withdraw is required. Participating site IRB/REB’s will seek 
prisoner certification approval from OHRP. 
 
A Certificate of Confidentiality will be obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to protect the privacy 
of subjects by protecting identifiable research information from forced disclosure. The Certificate of 
Confidentiality will allow the investigators and other research associates who have access to research records 
to refuse to disclose identifying information on subjects in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceeding, whether at the federal, state, or local level. For example, during the 6-month GOSE interview, 
information that if disclosed could have adverse consequences for subjects or damage their financial standing,  
employability, insurability, or reputation.  By protecting researchers and institutions from being compelled to 
disclose information that would identify research subjects, the Certificate of Confidentiality will help  
achieve the research objectives and promote participation in studies by assuring confidentiality and privacy to 
participants.   
   
 
9.4 Proposal Timeline 
The following is the proposed timeline for this trial: Submit protocol to ROC Protocol Review Committee 
(September 2013), submit to ROC DSMB (October 2013), submit to FDA for IND (September 2013), obtain 
ROC DSMB final approval (November 2013), obtain FDA IND approval (January 2014), begin web data entry 
design and programming (January 2014), begin site IRB/REB submission (Jan 2014), begin community 
consultation (Mar 2014), start public notification (May 2014), final IRB approvals and web data entry completed 
(May 2014), DoD Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) approval (May 2014), first site enrolls (June 
2014), last site begins enrollment (Sept 2014), last patient enrolled (June 2015), final data cleaning and data 
analysis (Dec 2015), final analysis (Feb 2016), primary manuscript submitted (May 2016). 
 


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9.5 Public Purpose 
TXA has been shown to safely reduce the risk of death due to bleeding in thousands of injured patients across 
the world. The absolute benefit has ranged from 1.5% in a broad population of injured patients, to 6.5% in 
injured warfighters receiving a blood transfusion, to 13.7% in those requiring a massive transfusion. Thus, in 
the most severely injured patients the number of people that need to be treated to save one life is only 7. TXA 
has not been well studied in TBI. In the largest study of patients with TBI and ICH, TXA use was associated 
with a decrease in the volume of ICH progression by 27%.  This is extremely important because progression of 
ICH is independently associated with a 5-fold increase in mortality. Since TBI is the leading cause of death and 
disability due to trauma and is the number one cause of death in young people, if TXA is shown to improve 
outcome in patients with TBI, it could be one of the most important advances in the treatment of TBI to date. 
 
9.6 Military Significance 
TBI is a major cause of death and disability on the battlefield. Veterans who have suffered TBI have life-long 
functional limitations, as well as a high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide.112 Efforts to 
treat TBI in the field include avoiding hypotension and secondary brain injury. Current Tactical Combat 
Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines do not directly address the management of casualties with TBI except for 
providing an adequate airway, maintaining the arterial oxygen saturation > 90%, and avoiding shock.113 There 
is currently no effective therapy that offers the potential to improve the return to duty rate and decrease death 
and disability among warfighters. The MATTERS trial showed improved survival in a military population despite 
the fact that patients who received TXA were more severely injured and more coagulopathic.51 TXA has 
tremendous potential to limit ICH progression, reduce surrounding brain edema, minimize cellular injury and 
improve long-term neurological outcome after TBI. TCCC guidelines recommend a 1 gram bolus of TXA 
followed by a 1 gram infusion over 8 hours for hemorrhagic shock or those at risk for major bleeding. The 
current proposal has the potential to significantly change these recommendations. First, a positive trial would 
potentially broaden the field indications for TXA to casualties with TBI. Second, an improved understanding of 
the safety profile of TXA use in TBI will allow TXA to be given safely to warfighters with both hemorrhagic 
shock and head injury. Finally, we propose studying a single 2 gram dose of TXA delivered in a manner that 
would be far more feasible to administer in austere or hostile conditions than the current method that requires a 
continuous infusion over 8 hours. The results of this study will be highly relevant to the military and could 
provide the foundation for expanding military guidelines for treatment of injured warfighters with TBI.  


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Appendix 1:  Exception from Consent for Emergency Research 
We have outlined below each criteria stipulated in the regulations for this exception and how our 
study design applies to these criteria. 
Sec. 50.24 Exception from informed consent requirements for emergency research 
(1) The human subjects are in a life-threatening situation, available treatments are unproven or 
unsatisfactory, and the collection of valid scientific evidence, which may include evidence 
obtained through randomized investigations, is necessary to determine the safety and 
effectiveness of particular interventions. 
The proposed trial is a randomized, controlled trial of Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic 
Brain Injury. The randomized drug regimen of 1 gram TXA followed by 1 gram 8 hour drip, 2 gram 
TXA followed by 8 hour placebo drip, or placebo initial dose, and placebo 8 hour drip to be initiated as 
soon as feasible to victims of blunt or penetrating moderate to severe head injury (GCS ≤12) and no 
initial hypotension (SBP>90 mmHg). These patients are in an immediate life threatening situation with 
mortality of >25% with 1/3 of patients surviving to experience mild to moderate neurologic deficit.  
Standard of care for prehospital management of these patients includes the rapid infusion of 
crystalloid solutions without any pharmacological interventions to control hemorrhage or secondary 
inflammatory injury.  
As reviewed in this proposal the extent of brain damage experienced by patients with TBI is 
determined by the extent of the primary injury as well as of secondary injury consisting of 
coagulopathy and inflammation. TXA has been shown to prevent hyperfibrinolysis which may limit 
progression of ICH and reduce cerebral edema through its action on plasminogen. TXA is an 
established drug for hemophilia to reduce or prevent hemorrhage and to reduce the need for 
replacement therapy during tooth extraction. Its profile in those indications and doses is known. TXA 
has recently been the subject of a large multicenter trial targeting its use to control hemorrhage in 
patients suffering from traumatic injuries including a subset of TBI patients. Although the safety profile 
of these patients was not well captured, there did not appear to be a large number of associated 
adverse events if TXA was given less than 3 hours after injury. In a smaller trial TXA was associated 
with a significant reduction in the rate of re-bleeding. Our trial will administer TXA in the prehospital 
setting as soon as feasible after TBI and will capture more thoroughly the safety data on this 
population through our rigorous trial administration and data capture. No new pharmacological therapy 
has been implemented for routine use in acute TBI in over 30 years.12 Mortality in patients with severe TBI is 
greater than 25%113 yet one third of patients still survive with minimal to moderate neurologic deficits. Given 
this wide variability in neurological recovery, an effective treatment for TBI has the potential to significantly 
impact neurologic outcomes.  
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(2) Obtaining informed consent is not feasible because: 
i. 
The subjects will not be able to give their informed consent as a result of their medical 
condition; 
 
ii. 
The intervention under investigation must be administered before consent from the 
subjects' legally authorized representatives is feasible; and 
iii. 
There is no reasonable way to identify prospectively the individuals likely to become 
eligible for participation in the clinical investigation. 
(i, ii &iii) In order to perform this trial, the initial dose of the randomized intervention will be 
administered within a short time of EMS arrival at the injury scene; estimated to be 5-10 minutes. The 
patient will often have altered mental status as a result of the injury or require intubation. The patient is 
often unable to provide consent for study enrollment as a result of their injuries. The legal next-of-kin 
are often not immediately available in the prehospital setting or when the patient arrives to the ED. 
Because this trial involves traumatic brain injury which is unpredictable, there is no way to 
prospectively identify individuals who are likely to become eligible for this trial. We will inform the 
family member or LAR at the earliest feasible opportunity of the subject‘s inclusion in the clinical 
investigation, the details of the investigation, other information contained in the informed consent 
document, and that he or she may discontinue the subject‘s participation at any time without penalty or 
loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled. Such notification is not usually feasible 
before or at the actual time of treatment and may be deferred until after resuscitation efforts have been 
completed. Such notification will be in person wherever possible and as soon as feasible unless 
otherwise directed by an IRB/REB.  
 
(3) Participation in the research holds out the prospect of direct benefit to the subjects 
because:  
i. 
Subjects are facing a life-threatening situation that necessitates intervention; 
ii. 
Appropriate animal and other preclinical studies have been conducted, and the 
information derived from those studies and related evidence support the potential for 
the intervention to provide a direct benefit to the individual subjects; and 
iii. 
Risks associated with the investigation are reasonable in relation to what is known 
about the medical condition of the potential class of subjects, the risks and benefits of 
standard therapy, if any, and what is known about the risks and benefits of the 
proposed intervention or activity. 
(i) As defined, these patients with traumatic brain injury are facing a life threatening situation which 
requires immediate intervention. 
(ii) Previous trials studying TXA have been conducted in the trauma population and suggest a survival 
advantage overall and significant direct benefit to patients with TBI if given as soon as possible and 
within the first 3 hours of injury.  
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(iii) There are currently no available medications that have been shown to improve outcome for 
patients with moderate and severe TBI. There have been two randomized controlled trials examining 
the use of TXA in patients with moderate and severe TBI. One of these trials used the 1 gram bolus 
followed by 1 gram infusion dose being utilized in one of the arms of this trial.1 The other trial utilized 
the 2 gram bolus dose being used in the second treatment arm of this trial.2 Both trials demonstrated 
statistical trends toward decreased progression of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and decreased 
mortality in patients receiving TXA compared to placebo. Furthermore, no increase in thromboembolic 
or other complication was observed.   
(4) The clinical investigation could not practicably be carried out without waiver. 
This trial could not be conducted without waiver of consent due to the need to administer the study 
medication  as part of  the initial resuscitation of the patient. 
(5) The proposed investigational plan defines the length of the potential therapeutic window 
based on scientific evidence, and the investigator has committed to attempting to contact a 
legally authorized representative for each subject within that window of time and, if feasible, 
to asking the legally authorized representative contacted for consent within that window 
rather than proceeding without consent. The investigator will summarize efforts made to 
contact legally authorized representatives and make this information available to the IRB at 
the time of continuing review. 
The initial resuscitation time period for this trial begins at the time the paramedics arrive at the patient in 
the injury scene. Resuscitation and intervention protocols are often initiated within the first 5-10 minutes of 
EMS arrival. Due to the nature of the injury and the intensity of the resuscitation efforts, it is not often 
feasible to obtain consent prior to the resuscitation protocol being initiated and prior to randomization into 
the study. The legal next of kin are often not immediately available when the EMS arrives at the patient’s 
side. However, a script will be provided when feasible in the prehospital setting to inform patients, 
their legal representative, or family member of the study  and allow an opportunity for verbal objection 
to study enrollment or to withdraw from further participation in accordance with FDA regulations under 
21 CFR 50.24. But it is acknowledged that the acute circumstances may only rarely if ever afford 
such opportunity. 
 
Once the patient arrives in the emergency department (ED) resuscitation continues. The family is not 
usually present during this time. We will, however, make a reasonable attempt to contact a LAR for each 
subject at the earliest feasible opportunity to obtain consent rather than proceeding without consent. The 
LAR or family will be informed of the subject‘s inclusion in the clinical trial, the details of the trial, other 
information contained in the informed consent document, and that he or she may discontinue the subject‘s 
participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefit to which the subject is otherwise entitled. Such 
notification is not usually feasible before or at the time of treatment and must be deferred until after 
resuscitation efforts have been completed. Such notification will be in person wherever possible and as 
soon as feasible (unless otherwise directed by a local IRB/REB).  
 
Informed consent will be obtained from patients or their LAR of the study when feasible. In addition, due to 
the continuation of the intervention into the hospital, repeated attempts will be made to contact that patient 
or LAR at the earliest feasible opportunity after hospital arrival to notify them of study participation and 
seek consent for ongoing participation. Efforts to contact LARs will be tracked and reported to the local 
IRB. Attempts will continue to obtain consent from the LAR and/or patient throughout the hospitalization. 
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Attempts to contact will include direct contact, telephone contact and written contact of any other contact 
options as approved by local IRB policy. An assessment will be done at the time of approaching the 
LAR/subject for consent to assure the LAR and/or subject is competent to make a sound decision 
regarding the consent process.  
 
When approached for notification of study participation following enrollment, the patient or their LAR will 
have the option of withdrawing from the study. During the notification process, the details of the trial will 
be reviewed along with potential risks and benefits, the endpoints of interest and the process by which 
these endpoints are evaluated. When notified of trial enrollment, the patient or their legal representative 
will be given the opportunity to withdraw from further data and sample collection. If the patient or LAR 
withdraws, all further data collection and blood sampling will cease. A verbal withdrawal of the subject‘s 
further participation in the study will be considered binding. Data collected prior to the point of withdrawal 
will be reviewed for study purposes. All research laboratory samples collected up to the point of 
withdrawal will be obtained and analyzed. In this circumstance, we will be limited to a description of 
baseline data and data collected up to the point of patient withdrawal to ensure that subjects who 
withdraw are comparable among the groups. Our previous experience suggests that refusals of this 
nature are rare. It will be up to local IRBs/REBs to determine if and when a written consent form is 
required for continued participation.  
 
As this is an emergency research study we will be seeking an emergency waiver of consent. We will 
contact the LAR for continued trial participation, at the earliest feasible time for the LAR to provide 
informed consent. All study procedures already performed and yet to be completed will be explained, 
consent for continued participation will be requested as well as consent for follow-up after hospital 
discharge. If the subject becomes competent to provide consent during their admission, he/she will be 
approached by the research coordinator for approval for all study procedures including the 6 month follow-
up interviews.  
 
Taken together with the lack of current satisfactory treatment, the life-threatening nature of these trauma 
types, and the prospect of benefit to participants, these factors provide sufficient support for an 
emergency exception from informed consent in order to evaluate an intervention that may have significant 
outcome benefits to this patient population.  
 
(6) The IRB has reviewed and approved informed consent procedures and an informed 
consent document consistent with Sec. 50.25. These procedures and the informed consent 
document are to be used with subjects or their legally authorized representatives in situations 
where use of such procedures and documents is feasible. The IRB has reviewed and approved 
procedures and information to be used when providing an opportunity for a family member to 
object to a subject's participation in the clinical investigation consistent with paragraph 
(a)(7)(v) of this section. 
 
All procedures and consent forms will be approved by the regional study site (Institutional Review 
Boards (IRBs) or Canadian Research Ethics Boards,(REBs) prior to the onset of the trial. 
 
(7) Additional protections of the rights and welfare of the subjects will be provided, including, 
at least: 
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i. 
Consultation (including, where appropriate, consultation carried out by the IRB) with 
representatives of the communities in which the clinical investigation will be conducted 
and from which the subjects will be drawn; 
Public notification and community consultation in accordance with local IRB and Canadian REB 
policies will be undertaken prior to IRB/REB approval. Because the population eligible for 
enrollment includes all citizens in the study regions, it will not be possible to target specific 
individuals although the local IRB/REB may recommend targeting specific groups. The community 
consultation plan for each trial site will be individualized to fit the local IRB/REB requirements. The 
participating sites have considerable experience conducing community consultation. A variety of 
methods are employed including consultation with community leaders and targeted community 
groups, random telephone surveys, and community meetings. Most sites provide an opt-out 
process to individuals who do not want to be enrolled. The opt-out process allows all members of 
the community to identify themselves if they choose to not be involved with the study. For this 
study, the opt-out identifier (i.e., colored bracelet or identification card) will be determined by the 
local IRB and will be made available through the community consultation programs. The identifier 
can be given to the individuals at time of meeting or mailed out to the individuals requesting the 
opt-out process. Prehospital personnel will be trained to check for these patients prior to 
randomization.  
 
ii. 
Public disclosure to the communities in which the clinical investigation will be 
conducted and from which the subjects will be drawn, prior to initiation of the clinical 
investigation, of plans for the investigation and its risks and expected benefits; 
(ii) Our suggested approach to public disclosure/community consultation will follow techniques 
previously approved by local IRBs/REBs and employed at individual centers, such as random-digit 
dialing, open-forums, public announcements via newspaper or radio, and other locally approved 
methods of contact with the public. Visual aids, such as power point, flyers or posters can be used 
in the presentations, and all material will be in lay terminology. Each communication will include 
information as to the purpose of the trial, the consent process, the risk and benefits to the 
community/patient, and the time commitment required. As each community is unique and may 
require specific or special needs, the local IRBs/REBs will approve the methods for their 
community and ensure that community consultation practices are both appropriate and complete 
before consent is given to begin the trial.   
iii. 
Public disclosure of sufficient information following completion of the clinical 
investigation to apprise the community and researchers of the study, including the 
demographic characteristics of the research population, and its results; 
(iii) Public disclosures will be performed both prior to trial enrollment (with opportunity and a 
mechanism for the community to contact the investigators with their response) and at the 
completion of the trial in the form of multimedia press releases organized by the ROC and by local 
sites at the direction of the IRB/REB. These will include plans for the trial, including potential risks 
and benefits, and a summary of the results of the trial upon completion. In the event that the press 
releases are not widely circulated, advertisements will also be placed in local papers describing the 
trial. Information regarding the trial will also be available on the ROC website. 
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iv. 
Establishment of an independent data monitoring committee to exercise oversight of 
the clinical investigation;  
(iv) An independent data safety monitoring board will exercise oversight of the study.-and 
v. 
If obtaining informed consent is not feasible and a legally authorized representative is 
not reasonably available, the investigator has committed, if feasible, to attempting to 
contact within the therapeutic window the subject's family member who is not a legally 
authorized representative, and asking whether he or she objects to the subject's 
participation in the clinical investigation.  
(v) We expect that the majority of subjects who meet the enrollment criteria will either be 
unconscious or have an altered mental status secondary to acute blood loss, traumatic brain injury 
or intoxicating substances, and thus will not be in a position to provide informed consent in the 
Prehospital or ED setting. Accordingly, it may not be feasible to attempt to obtain informed consent 
during the therapeutic window. We will inform the family member or LAR at the earliest feasible 
opportunity of the subject‘s inclusion in the clinical trial, the details of the trial, other information 
contained in the informed consent document, and that he or she may discontinue the subject‘s 
participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise 
entitled. (See more details in item 5 above.) Such notification is not usually feasible before or at the 
actual time of treatment and must be deferred until after resuscitation efforts have been completed. 
Such notification will be in person wherever possible and as soon as feasible (unless otherwise 
directed by a local IRB). A local log will be kept to document the attempts made to contact the 
LAR/family member.  
vi. 
The investigator will summarize efforts made to contact family members and make this 
information available to the IRB at the time of continuing review. 
(v &vi) A script will be provided to explain the study to patients, their legally authorized 
representatives, or family members prior to study enrollment whenever feasible. In addition, 
patients, their legally authorized representative, or family member will be contacted as soon as 
feasible to be notified of study participation, give permission for 6 month follow up calls and be 
allowed an opportunity to withdraw from the study. For those who withdraw no further data will 
be collected beyond the withdrawal date except for vital status at hospital discharge. These 
efforts will be documented and reported to the IRB/REB per local requirements. 
 
(8) References 
1!CRASH-2 Collaborators.  Effect of tranexamic acid in traumatic brain injury: a nested randomized, 
placebo controlled trial (CRASH-2 Intracranial Bleeding Study). BMJ. 2011; 343:d3795. 
2 Yutthakasemsunt S, Kittiwattanagul W, Piyavechvirat P et al. Tranexamic acid for patients with 
traumatic brain injury: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. BMC Emergency 
Medicine. 2013; 13:20 
 
 
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Appendix 2: Suggested Templates for Consent and Notification Forms 
 
Sample Prehospital TXA Use for TBI Emergency Provider Script for Verbal 
Exception from Informed Consent Participation 
 
[Insert name of institution] 
 
Study Information Script 
 
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
 
Prehospital Study Information and Opportunity for Verbal Objection to Enrollment 
 
Instructions:  
 
While at the scene when the emergency medical system (EMS) provider determines the injured person has 
met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria, the following information may be provided as feasible to the 
conscious and alert patient, legally authorized representative, and/or family member of the patient who has 
experienced injury from trauma. 
 
The purpose of the study information script is to attempt to provide an opportunity for verbal objection to study 
enrollment or to offer the opportunity to decline further participation, if already enrolled, only if the situation is 
both safe and does not adversely affect patient care and/or transport. The acute circumstances should only 
rarely, if ever, afford such opportunities.   
EMS providers will be trained to attempt notification only in situations when feasible to conscious or alert 
patient, legal representative or family member. 
 
Script: 
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1. You (or your loved one) appear to be at risk for brain injury and needs treatment to protect the brain from 
further injury.  
  
2. I want to let you know that we [Local emergency medical service] are conducting a research study that tests 
the use of a medication to treat brain injury which is commonly used to control bleeding in hopes of saving 
more lives. 
 
3. Treatment needs to be done quickly, but we want to give you the option of not being enrolled in the study. 
 
4. If you say no we will treat you (or your loved one) according to our standard protocols. Someone will give you
more information when we reach the hospital.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sample - Prehospital TXA Use for TBI 
Consent/Notification 
 
[Insert name of institution] 
 
Continued Participation Consent/Notification Form 
 
 Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
 
Investigators 
 
[List name, title and phone numbers] 
  
 
 
 
 
24 hours Emergency Telephone Number: [emergency phone number] 
Ask for the [PreHospital Research Coordinator] on call 
 
Researcher’s Statement 
 
We are asking you to be in a research study. The purpose of this consent form is to give you the information 
you will need to help you decide whether to continue to be in the study or not. Please read the form carefully. 
You may ask questions about the purpose of the research, what we would ask you to do, the possible risks 
and benefits, your rights as a volunteer, and anything else about the research or this form that is not clear. 
When we have answered all your questions, you can decide if you want to continue to be in the study or not. 
This process is called “informed consent”. We will give you a copy of this for your records. 
If you are unable to provide written informed consent, a legally authorized representative (LAR) may consent 
on your behalf to continue to take part in this study.   
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Purpose of the Study 
Bodily injury from a physical force to the head can damage brain cells and blood vessels, which may cause 
bleeding in the head. Emergency treatment is given to protect the brain cells that were not injured from 
damage caused by interruptions in the blood supply.  
Tranexamic Acid (TXA) is a medication commonly given to control bleeding. This study compares the 
effectiveness of two methods used for giving TXA as early as possible following head injury. The two parts of 
this study are:  
1. How effective is the medication during the early time period after the injury? 
2. How effective is the medication 6 months after injury? 
When medics determined your head was injured, a decision was quickly made to enroll you in this study. 
Special permission has been granted by our review board here, the [name of IRB/REB] (IRB/REB), the Food 
and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command 
(USAMRMC) Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) to enroll subjects in this study without their prior 
consent due to the emergency nature of their injury. The IRB, FDA, Health Canada and HRPO oversee the 
safety of subjects in medical research. 
This study will enroll 963 patients at 10 sites across the United States and Canada. The study will enroll 
approximately [xx] patients here in [city/county]. One third of the patients will receive the traditional method of 
receiving TXA, one third will receive a modified method, and one third will receive only a salt water solution 
with no active medication.  
Study Procedures 
If you (or patient’s LAR) agree to continue in this study, your medical and surgical care will not be changed. 
You were enrolled in this study by the medics who first cared for you and brought you to the hospital. Because 
the situation was potentially life-threatening, medics provided emergency life support interventions for airway, 
breathing and circulation. Afterward they observed physical symptoms of head injury that made you eligible for 
this study. Medics performed all clinically necessary treatments and procedures considered to be standard of 
care. In addition, medics opened a package that contained either a vial of 1 gram TXA, a vial of 2 grams TXA 
or a vial of salt water, which they mixed into a bag of intravenous fluid. This bag of fluid was given to you 
immediately through a tube connected to a catheter inserted into a vein.  
The package and vial were designed so that the exact contents of the vial could not be known by the medics. 
The packages were organized in a randomly assigned order and labeled with numbers linked to a list of the 
vial content that is not available to the medic. This method ensured that the vial the medics used for you was 
the result of chance, like flipping a coin.  
When you arrived at the hospital, the prehospital study drug kit number was given to the study research staff. 
The research staff used the kit number to access the list that links the number to the vial needed to administer 
the in-hospital infusion. The direct care providers do not have access to information about the content of the 
vial unless the doctor determines it is necessary. In this manner, the pharmacist or nurse will mix the blinded 
vial containing either 1 gram TXA or salt water in a second bag of intravenous fluid. This second bag is given 
slowly over 8 hours. Once the second bag of study drug is finished, you do not receive another. This study 
treatment is performed in addition to all clinically necessary treatments and procedures considered to be 
standard of care.  
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Blood samples for research testing (about 2 tablespoons each) are collected on arrival to the hospital and at 6, 
12, 24, and 48 hours, if you are still in the hospital at that time. The special blood samples for this study will be 
shipped to the Trauma Research Institute of Oregon, Oregon Health & Science University and used to look at: 
1. How your body reacted to the injury 
2. How your blood is clotting (or clumping together) 
3. How your body has reacted to the fluids and treatments you received  
4. Tests in the future not yet known at this time (No genetic testing will be done for this study. We will ask for 
your consent to perform genetic testing at another time for a separate study.)  
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head injury and blood clotting factors. The specimens will be 
stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such that your (the patient’s) identity will not be able to be 
known. 
Your hospital records will be reviewed. Information will be collected such as procedures, tests, complications 
and vital signs. Head CT and MRI scans will also be sent via a secure electronic file transfer protocol to the 
Trauma Research Institute of Oregon, Oregon Health & Science University and maintained in an imaging 
repository for future analyses. These scans will be stored in a de-identifiable manner such that your (the 
patient’s) identity will not be able to be known.   
 
If you were transferred to another hospital setting, we will ask for your permission to contact that facility to 
follow up on your progress. You will need to sign an additional HIPAA form to allow us permission to contact 
the other hospital and get your medical information.    
Immediately prior to being discharged from the hospital, research staff will ask you to answer questions about 
your ability to perform regular daily activities. With your permission, we will also contact you by phone one 
month after you are discharged to home. At that time we will confirm your contact information and remind you 
about the final phone call at 6 months following your injury. This final phone call will take approximately 30 
minutes. We will ask you to compare your ability to perform regular daily activities before your injury and after 
your injury.  For example we will ask you about eating, drinking and personal hygiene activities, like washing 
your face and brushing your teeth. Your care giver or family member may respond to these questions for you. 
You have the right to refuse to answer any of the questions.   
 
Risks, Stress, or Discomfort 
Participation in this study may involve some added risks or discomforts, although TXA is now being used in 
many hospitals and many countries safely to treat bleeding problems.  
Adverse events might include: 
1. Too much TXA is given - if the amount given is too large you may experience eyesight disturbances, 
nausea, vomiting, seizures. These are very rare and the dose given for this trial have not been known 
to cause those problems. 
2. TXA given too quickly - If the amount of medication is given too quickly you may experience low blood 
pressure which may cause decreased blood flow to your head. When you have a head injury 
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this may be associated with complications and a possible risk of death. The TXA in this study is diluted 
and given over a period of time to decrease the chances of this happening. 
3. Any dose – TXA increase the risk of blood clots to vital organs. If this occurs, the medication will be 
stopped immediately.  
4. Skin irritation at the site of infusion or a rash due to a minor allergic reaction with no effects on your 
blood pressure or heart rate. 
5. You may have an allergic reaction to the TXA (including severe immediate reactions) as is possible with 
any drug.   
6. Whenever personal information is collected, there is always the potential that someone who is not 
authorized by this consent form may see your information. However, steps will be taken to minimize this 
risk. 
 
If you suffer any injury as a result of this study, please understand that nothing has been arranged to provide 
free treatment at [insert site name] or any other type of payment. However, all facilities, emergency treatment 
and professional services will be available for your use just as they are to the community in general.  
If you have had any injury, bad effect, or any other unusual health experience you think may be from the study, 
make sure you tell the nurses or the study investigator, [Dr. Doctor at (123) 123-4567].  
 
(OR use the wording below for Canadian sites in this form)  
By signing the consent form, you do not give up any of your legal rights and you do not release the study 
doctor or other participating institutions from their legal and professional duties. There will be no cost to you for 
the participation in this study. You will not be charged for any research procedures. If you become ill or  
physically injured as a result of participation in this study, medical treatment will be provided at no additional 
cost to you. The costs of your medical treatment will be paid by your provincial medical plan. You will not 
receive any payment for participation in this study. 
If you have had any injury, bad effect, or any other unusual health experience you think may be from the study, 
make sure you tell the nurses or the study investigator, [Dr. Doctor at (123) 123-4567].  
 
Alternatives to Taking Part in This Study 
The best known emergency care was given to you by the medics.!There are no alternative treatments for your 
head injury except to withdraw from continued participation in the study.  You can stop at any time without 
penalty or loss of benefits.  Whether you choose to be in this study, or choose not to be in this study, will not 
affect your health care here at [insert hospital name].  If you do refuse continued participation, we will not 
collect any more data from you.  Information about your treatment that transpired up to the date and time of 
your treatment will still be collected.  
 
Benefits 
You may not directly benefit from this study. We cannot guarantee that there will be any benefit to you. The 
study may determine there is no benefit from either dose of TXA compared to salt water. It is not yet known 
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that TXA provides a benefit.  However, you may benefit from the study if you receive TXA and it proves to be 
effective.  
If TXA proves to be effective, the potential benefits for society are: 
• 
Giving TXA as early as possible after head injury could help patients recover more fully after moderate 
to severe head injury. 
• 
One dose of TXA 2 grams given early may help decrease bleeding in the head better than one dose of 
TXA 1 gram given early and followed by a second dose of TXA 1 gram given over 8 hours. 
 
Other Information  
The U.S. Department of Defense is providing grants funds for this study. 
A description of this clinical trial will be available on http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, as required by U.S. 
Law.  This Web site will not include information that can identify you.  At most, the Website will include a 
summary of the results.  You can search this Website at any time. 
Regardless of whether or not you choose to continue in this study, you will receive the same level of care.  
Withdrawing from further participation in the study has no effect on how you will be treated by the doctors 
currently providing care. 
Information available up to the point you decide not to continue participation will be retained for the study. You 
have the right to change your mind about participating in this study at any time.  If you do change your mind, 
you may contact [name of study coordinator and phone number] or tell the doctor or nurse providing your care. 
 
 
Cost, compensation, and reimbursement 
There is no cost to you for participating in this study. You or your insurance will be responsible for all standard 
of care charges. You will not be charged for lab tests performed strictly for research purposes.  
There will be no payment to you for taking part in this research study.  
If you received a bill that you believe is related to your taking part in this research study, please contact [insert 
PI name] at [insert PI contact number] with questions. 
 
Confidentiality 
 
Please understand that representatives of the FDA, the [name of local IRB/REB], the National Institute of 
Health (NIH), the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and the Resuscitation Outcomes 
Consortium (ROC) may review your research and/or medical records for the purposes of verifying research 
data, and will see personal identifiers.  However, identifying information will not appear on records retained by 
the sponsor, with the exception of treatment and service dates.  You will not be personally identified in any 
reports or publications that may result from this study.  These records will be retained for [XX] years.   
 
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We do make every effort to keep the information about you confidential. You have been assigned a code 
number. This code number is used on all of the data we collected. A key linking you to the code number is kept 
locked in a secure location and will be available only to the local site investigators. Once this study is 
completed, this key will be destroyed.  
To help protect your privacy, we have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institutes of 
Health.  With this Certificate, researchers cannot be forced to disclose information that may identify you, even 
by a court subpoena, in any federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceedings.  Researchers will use the Certificate to resist any demands for information that would identify 
you, except as explained below. 
 
The Certificate cannot be used to resist a demand for information from personnel of the United States 
Government that is used for auditing or evaluation for Federally funded projects or for information that must be 
disclosed in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
You should understand that a Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you or a member of your family 
from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your Involvement in this research.  If an insurer, 
employer, or other person obtains your written consent to receive research information, then the researchers 
may not use the Certificate to withhold that information. 
 
 
 
Exceptions: 
A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent researchers from voluntarily disclosing information about you, 
without your consent in incidents such as child abuse, and intent to harm yourself or others. 
There is a separate section in this consent form that you will be asked to sign which details the use and 
disclosure of your protected health information.  
 
 
 
(OR use the wording below for sites which include the HIPAA language in this form)  
AUTHORIZATION TO USE AND DISCLOSE INFORMATION FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES  
The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires [use either “your health care 
provider” or the actual name of the entity holding the health records] to obtain your permission for the research 
team to access or create protected health information about you for purposes of this research study. Protected 
health information is information that personally identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future 
physical or mental health condition or care. We will access or create health information about your relative, as 
described in this document, for purposes of this research study [if applicable, add: and for your treatment]. 
Once [use either “your health care provider” or the actual name of the entity, as above] has disclosed your 
relative’s protected health information to us, it may no longer be protected by the Federal HIPAA privacy 
regulations, but we will continue to protect your relative’s confidentiality. 
 
We may share your health information related to this study with other parties including U.S. and Canadian 
government regulatory, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command  and other funding agencies, an 
independent research medical monitor, the [insert local IRB/REB], and the Resuscitation Outcomes 
Consortium (ROC) at the University of Washington. ROC is an emergency medicine clinical trial network which 
is coordinating this research. 
 
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You cannot continue to participate in this study unless you permit us to use your protected health information. 
If you choose not to allow us to use your protected health information, we will discuss any non-research 
alternatives available to you. Your decision will not affect your right to medical care that is not research-related. 
Your signature on this Consent Document authorizes [use “your health care provider” or the actual name of the 
entity, as above] to give us permission to use or create health information about you.  
 
Although you may not be allowed to see study information until after this study is over, you may be given 
access to your health care records by contacting your health care provider. Your permission for us to access or 
create protected health information about you for purposes of this study has no expiration date. You may 
withdraw your permission for us to use your health information for this research study by contacting [PI name] 
at [telephone number, fax number and address.] However, we may still use your health information that was 
collected before withdrawing your permission. Also, if we have sent your health information to a third party, 
such as the study sponsor, or we have removed your identifying information, it may not be possible to prevent 
its future use. You will receive a copy of this signed document.  
 
The [insert name of the entity holding the health records] generally requires that we document in your medical 
record chart that you are taking part in this study. The information included in the chart will provide contact 
information for the research team as well as information about the risks associated with this study. We will 
keep the Informed Consent Document in our research files; and a copy [will/will not, based on local policies] be 
placed in your medical record chart. 
To help protect your privacy, we have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institutes of 
Health.  With this Certificate, researchers cannot be forced to disclose information that may identify you, even 
by a court subpoena, in any federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceedings.  Researchers will use the Certificate to resist any demands for information that would identify 
you, except as explained below. 
 
The Certificate cannot be used to resist a demand for information from personnel of the United States 
Government that is used for auditing or evaluation for Federally funded projects or for information that must be 
disclosed in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
 
 
You should understand that a Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you or a member of your family 
from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your Involvement in this research.  If an insurer, 
employer, or other person obtains your written consent to receive research information, then the researchers 
may not use the Certificate to withhold that information. 
 
Exceptions: 
A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent researchers from voluntarily disclosing information about you, 
without your consent in incidents such as child abuse, and intent to harm yourself or others. 
For additional information about this study, please visit our website at [local study web site link]. If you have 
questions regarding your rights related to participation in this study, you may contact the [name of local 
IRB/REB and phone number].  
Data from this study may be reported in scientific meetings, articles or other appropriate communications 
without your identification information. 
If, during the course of the study, new information becomes available, we will provide it to you. 
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A copy of this consent will be placed in your medical record.   
Date___________________     
 
Investigator’s Name________________________________________ 
                                                  
 Investigator’s Signature________________________________________ 
 
Subject’s Statement 
The study described above has been explained to me.  I have had an opportunity to ask questions. If I have 
any other questions in the future about the research I can contact one of the Investigators listed on the first 
page.  If I have any questions about my rights as a research subject, I can call the [name of local IRB/REB and 
phone number]. 
You were enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject or the subject’s legally authorized 
representative can be obtained.   
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop being a part of this study at any time. If you choose to 
stop taking part in this study, no additional information will be collected. The information collected up to the 
time you chose to stop being in the study will remain in the research database and will be included in the data 
analysis. The information we collect for the study is coded to protect privacy. You will not be personally 
identified in any reports. 
 
 
 
If you choose to voluntarily consent to continue in this study, please check the yes box and sign below. If you 
choose to withdraw from taking part in this study, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to continue to participate in this study including participating in a phone 
                call survey 6 months after my injury to assess my recovery. 
 
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head injury and blood clotting factors.!If you choose to 
voluntarily consent for your blood to continue to be stored for future testing, please check the yes box and sign 
below. If you choose for your blood to not be stored for future testing, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to have my blood that was collected for this study stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                            that the my identity will not be able to be known. 
 
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I have received a copy of this consent. 
Date___________________  
 
Subject’s Name_________________________________________ 
     
Subject’s Signature______________________________________                    
 
 Parental Signature (if subject is a minor) ____________________________________ 
Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) Consent 
Because the patient is unable to sign due to the nature of his/her illness, I am the legal guardian representing 
his/her wishes regarding continued participation in this study.  I have had the opportunity to ask questions. If I 
have questions about the research, I may contact one of the Investigators listed on the first page.  If I have any 
questions about the patient’s rights as a research subject, I can call the [name of local IRB/REB and phone 
number]. 
The patient was enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject or the subject’s legally authorized 
representative can be obtained.   
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop the patient’s being a part of this study at any time. If 
you choose to stop the patient’s taking part in this study, no additional information will be collected. The 
information collected up to the time you chose to stop the patient’s participation will remain in the research 
database and will be included in the data analysis. The information we collect for the study is coded to protect 
privacy. The patient will not be personally identified in any reports. 
 
If you choose to voluntarily consent for the patient to continue in this study, please check the yes box and sign 
below. If you choose to withdraw the patient from taking part in this study, please check the no box and sign 
below.  
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree for him/her to continue to participate in this study including participating in a phone 
                call survey 6 months after his/her injury to assess my recovery. 
  
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head injury blood clotting factors.!If you choose to voluntarily 
consent for the patient’s blood to continue to be stored for future testing, please check the yes box and sign 
below. If you choose for the patient’s blood to not be stored for future testing, please check the no box and sign 
below.  
 
 
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€ Yes     € No     I agree to have his/her blood that was used for this study to be stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                            that the patient’s identity will not be able to be known. 
 
I have received a copy of this consent. 
Date______________  
Legally Authorized Representative_________________________________ 
                   
Signature Legally Authorized Representative______________________________________ 
For subjects and/or LAR who are unable to read and/or sign, I witness this consent. 
Date__________________    
 
Witness Name__________________________________________ 
                                            
Witness Signature_________________________________________ 
Subject Consent Form if LAR or family previously consented or the subject is a minor and assent is 
obtained prior to hospital discharge:  
 
 
You were enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject’s legally authorized representative can be 
obtained.   
 
 
 
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop being a part of this study at any time. If you choose to 
stop taking part in this study, no additional information will be collected. The information collected up to the 
time you chose to stop being in the study will remain in the research database and will be included in the data 
analysis. The information we collect for the study is coded to protect privacy. You will not be personally 
identified in any reports. 
 
This document contains the consent form signed by your legally authorized representative for your review. The 
consent form describes the study, (purpose, procedures, risks, benefits) in detail. Please feel free to ask any 
questions about this study or the consent form.  
 
If you choose to voluntarily consent continue in this study, please check the yes box and sign below. If you 
choose to stop taking part in this study, please check the no box and sign below.  
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€ Yes     € No     I agree to continue to participate in this study including participating in a phone 
                call survey 6 months after my injury to assess my recovery. 
 
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head and blood clotting factors.!If you choose to voluntarily 
consent for your blood to continue to be stored for future testing, please check the yes box and sign below. If 
you choose for your blood to not be stored for future testing, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to have my blood that was used for this study to be stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                           that my identity will not be able to be known. 
 
I have received a copy of the consent signed by my parent (if subject is a minor) or my Legally Authorized 
Representative and a copy of this Subject Consent Form. 
 
 
Subject Name:   ________________________ 
 
 
Subject’s Signature __________________________________    Date/Time _______________ 
 
 
Witness Signature ___________________________________  Date/Time ________________ 
 
CC: Subject’s Medical Record 
       Subject 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sample TXA Notification of Participation letter to family of subjects who died 
during the study 
 
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
________________________________________________________________________________ 
Month date, year 
 
Dear [_________], 
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We understand this letter may come at a time that is difficult for your family and we offer our condolences for 
your loss. We are aware a death is often an unexpected event and may have devastating personal 
consequences. 
 
We want to inform you of the treatment your [son, daughter, husband, wife, (enter name)] received by [name of 
EMS service and hospital] from [month/date] through [month, date, year].  We want to assure you that your 
family member received the best medical care currently practiced for the treatment of traumatic injury. In 
addition to the standard treatments for trauma, your family member was entered into a research study. We are 
writing you now to inform you that this occurred. This was done without [his/her] prior consent because 
[he/she] required emergency care that could not be delayed to allow adequate consideration of informed 
consent.  
 
This study was reviewed and approved by [insert name of IRB/REB]  
 
[For those patients who died prior to having blood obtained for this research study, insert the following 
statement.] 
No further action on your part is required.  
 
[For those patients who had at least one blood sample obtained for this research study, insert the following 
statement.] 
Information about the study is included with this letter entitled: Study Information Sheet – Prehospital 
Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury. 
 
 
[Insert name of physician] is the physician responsible for the study in [Insert site/hospital name]. If you have 
any questions about the study, please contact us at the number provided or by contacting us at the address 
below: 
 [(xxx) yyy-yyyy]  
 [address]  
 
If you would like support and counseling for coping with your loss, you may call [Insert name and contact info 
of help line] 
 
We apologize for this intrusion.  
 
Respectfully, 
 
[Name, title, address, and contact information] 
 
 
 
 
 
Study Information Sheet 
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
 
 
Your family member was treated for injuries including a traumatic brain injury at [name of institution]. When 
he/she was being treated in the accident scene and in the emergency department, he/she was unconscious 
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and/or unable to reliably talk with us about his/her wishes. During this time your family member was enrolled in 
a study called “Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury”. 
 
An Institutional Review Board (IRB)!or Canadian Research Ethics Boards (REB) at the [name of institution] has 
given us permission to do this study in which subjects are enrolled without their consent. This process is called 
exception from informed consent for emergency research. 
 
The purpose of this study is to determine if Tranexamic Acid (TXA) can help stop or slow the bleeding in the 
head after a traumatic injury compared to routine care. In this study subjects are randomly assigned (like 
flipping a coin) to get 1 of 2 doses of TXA or placebo, which is a salt water solution with no active medication. 
The dose of TXA is either an early dose of 2 grams TXA followed by placebo drip for 8 hours or split dose of 1 
gram TXA followed by 1 gram TXA drip for 8 hours or placebo dose followed by placebo drip for 8 hours. 
 
If time permitted, we may have collected and shipped blood samples to the Trauma Research Institute of 
Oregon, Oregon Health & Sciences University for research purposes and looked at information in their medical 
record; this information was recorded. The study is being done throughout the United States and Canada by an 
emergency medicine network called the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC), of which Dr. [enter PI 
name here] is a member. This study is funded by grants received from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, 
US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), and other funding agencies.  
 
Your family member’s participation in this study will help us to better understand trauma patients who 
experience traumatic brain injury and how we can improve the care of future trauma patients. Our study 
evaluates the usual care and procedures routinely performed in emergency centers throughout the United 
States and Canada. If you would like to know more about the study please contact [name of coordinator]] 
 
If you would like to discuss any of this further, please contact [Dr name] the doctor responsible for the study or 
the Research Nurse at [number here]. Also for information on a research subject’s rights and on how these 
studies are approved you can contact the [enter institution name here] Human subjects division at [enter 
contact information here].  
 
A description of this clinical trial will be available on http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, as required by U.S. 
Law.  This Web site will not include information that can identify you.  At most, the Website will include a 
summary of the results.  You can search this Website at any time. 
 
Consent for Blood to be Stored for Future Testing 
The patient was enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject or the subject’s legally authorized 
representative can be obtained.   
 
 
 
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop the patient’s being a part of this study at any time.  
 
The patient’s blood that was collected is being stored for future testing related to head injury and blood clotting 
factors. If you choose to voluntarily consent for the patient’s blood to continue to be stored for future testing, 
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please check the yes box and sign below. If you choose for the patient’s blood to not be stored for future 
testing, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to have his/her blood that was used for this study to be stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                            that his/her identity will not be able to be known. 
 
 
Date______________  
 
Legally Authorized Representative (LAR)_________________________________ 
                     
Signature Legally Authorized Representative______________________________________ 
 
For LAR who are unable to read and/or sign, I witness this consent. 
 
Date__________________    
 
Witness Name__________________________________________ 
                                            
Witness Signature_________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Appendix 3 
Amendment 1: Ancillary IRB Protocol and Consent 
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Blood-Based Biomarkers of Injury and Outcome in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
 
A. BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE 
The public health implications of TBI cannot be overstated. At least 1.7 million people suffer TBI every year 
in the United States and over 50,000 people die.1 There are currently approximately 5.3 million people living in 
the U.S. that require long-term or even lifelong assistance due to TBI resulting in annual direct and indirect 
costs of over $76 billion.2-4 TBI also has a major impact on combat casualties and has been labeled the 
‘signature wound’ of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, representing an estimated 15-25% of all injuries sustained 
in 21st-century conflicts.5-7 Severe TBI is one of the leading causes of death in injured warfighters with a 
mortality of approximately 70%.8 Although our understanding of the pathophysiology of TBI has recently 
improved, these advances have failed to translate into a single successful clinical trial, and effective treatment 
of TBI remains one of the greatest unmet needs in public health.3 
In addition to lack of adequate methods for identifying and quantifying brain injury, establishing a reliable 
prognosis early after TBI is notoriously difficult. The International Mission on Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical 
Trials in TBI (IMPACT) utilized prospectively collected individual patient data from several trials in moderate or 
severe TBI to develop prognostic models from data available at admission.9,10 The strongest predictors of 
outcome were age, pupillary reactivity and GCS motor score (IMPACT Core Model score).11 Performance of 
the model improved by adding both CT characteristics and secondary insults (hypotension and hypoxia) to the 
Core Model (IMPACT Extended Model Score).12,13 The IMPACT Lab Model Score further improved upon the 
model by adding laboratory parameters (glucose and hemoglobin).14 These prognostic models are considered 
to provide adequate discrimination between patients with good and poor 6-month outcomes and are currently 
used in clinical practice to provide prognosis prediction to families of TBI patients. In an attempt to improve the 
predictive power of these models, the addition of brain-specific biomarkers to the model has been examined. 
Using the first biomarker level obtained after TBI, addition of GFAP and SBDP145 from 45 patients with severe 
TBI to the Core IMPACT Model was shown to increase the predictive power for 6-month lethal outcome, 
increasing the R2 from 0.214 for the Core Model alone to 0.700.15 
Immediately after moderate or severe TBI, excitotoxic, ischemic, oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic 
pathways are activated, resulting in neuronal and glial cell injury and death.16 Although numerous proteins are 
released from the injured brain into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and systemic circulation that could potentially 
be used as markers of cell damage after TBI, few have been characterized well enough for direct clinical use.17 
Unlike other organ-based diseases such as myocardial ischemia in which rapid serum-based biomarkers are 
invaluable to guide diagnosis and treatment, there are currently no definitive diagnostic neurochemical markers 
for quantification of the degree of injury after TBI, and the paucity of well-validated biomarkers for TBI remains 
a major limitation to the advancement of novel treatment approaches that could improve care. 
An ideal biomarker for TBI should be specific (exclusively found in the brain and accurately reflect the 
extent of brain injury), sensitive (highly abundant and easily detectable), and should measure therapeutic 
efficacy (reflect successful therapeutic intervention). There is a rapidly growing number of molecules that have 
been tested as potential biomarkers of TBI, however, to date no single molecule has proven sensitive and 
specific enough to be used clinically to predict the severity of brain injury or outcome after TBI. Of the 
molecules that have been tested, the best studied are neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100β protein, myelin 
basic protein, GFAP, αII-spectrin breakdown products (SBDPs), and UCH-L1.17-19 While NSE was originally 
thought to be promising as a neuronal biomarker, it was later shown to be present in red blood cells and 
platelets leading to confounded results in hemolyzed blood samples.20 Furthermore, NSE has been shown to 
be elevated in trauma in the absence of TBI.21 S100β is also found outside the CNS and is also influenced by 
extracranial injuries leading to low specificity.22 Myelin basic protein is one of the most abundant proteins in the 
white matter representing 30% of the protein content of myelin.23 While it has been studied as a marker in non- 
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accidental pediatric trauma, there is no evidence to support its use as a diagnostic biomarker for focal and 
diffuse TBI. We have chosen to examine UCH-L1, GFAP and SBDP150 in this proposal based on their ability 
to fit the criteria for an ideal biomarker defined above as well as the strength of evidence suggesting that each 
biomarker reflects specific structural injury and predicts outcome, making them highly promising candidate 
biomarkers for TBI. 
Biomarkers may provide mechanistic insight and measure treatment effect of TXA  
The interventional drug being examined in the Phase II parent trial for this study is tranexamic acid (TXA). 
TXA is an anti-fibrinolytic medication that inhibits the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin.24 There have been 
two randomized controlled trials examining the use of TXA in patients with moderate and severe TBI.25,26 Both 
trials utilized a different dosing regimen and both demonstrated statistical trends toward decreased progression 
of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and mortality in patients receiving TXA compared to placebo. As a result, the 
authors concluded that further large-scale clinical trials are needed to assess the effect of TXA on death and 
disability in patients with TBI. No studies to date have examined the pharmacokinetic profile of TXA use in TBI 
and there is currently no available method to measure therapeutic efficacy for TXA treatment in patients with 
TBI. Although biomarkers have not been previously measured in patients receiving TXA, the established 
relationship between these specific biomarkers and outcome after acute TBI suggests that they could provide a 
sound method to monitor response to treatment. Furthermore, based on the differential release patterns of 
these biomarkers and their relationship to injury pattern, relative changes in biomarker levels in response to 
treatment has the potential to provide insight into the mechanism of action of TXA in TBI, which is currently 
unknown. 
While several mechanisms have been proposed to be responsible for the lower mortality and reduction in 
ICH growth observed in clinical trials of TXA in TBI, the mechanism involved has not been examined.27 The 
design of the parent trial for this study will examine the effect of TXA on fibrinolytic and thrombin generation 
pathways to begin to understand the mechanism; however, preliminary data suggest that TXA may act by 
reducing the neurotoxic effects of plasmin, independent of its effect on fibrinolysis. Plasmin has been 
associated with potentiation of thrombin-induced neurotoxicity, degradation of the extracellular matrix, 
increased blood brain barrier permeability and development of cerebral edema.28 Importantly, recent animal 
data suggest that TXA may prevent this neurotoxicity.29,30 While neither the parent trial nor this study will be 
able to thoroughly examine the mechanism of TXA in patients with TBI, identification of the relative pattern of 
biomarker changes in this study in response to TXA treatment could provide important insight to inform future 
studies that will be undertaken with the sample repository already planned in the parent trial as well as the 
genomic and transcriptomic repository proposed in this study. 
In addition to its sensitivity and specificity, the ability of a biomarker to serve as a measure of therapeutic 
efficacy is an important criteria for it to be clinically useful. In order to interpret a biomarker response to 
treatment, an understanding of the pK profile for TXA is needed. While the pK profile for TXA following IV 
infusion has been described in other populations, it is unknown whether this is altered when TXA is 
administered via bolus or continuous infusion in patients with TBI.31-33 Additionally, the optimal TXA dosing 
regimen for patients with TBI is not known and no consensus exists about the ideal targeted plasma 
concentrations needed to inhibit fibrinolyisis. As a result, the parent clinical trial for this study was designed to 
include 2 different dosing arms of TXA compared to placebo (arm one: 1-gram bolus followed by 1-gram 
infusion; arm two: 2-gram bolus followed by placebo infusion, arm three: placebo bolus and placebo infusion). 
It is important to note that the analysis for the primary endpoint (GOS-E at 6 months) of the parent trial will be a 
comparison of both treatment arms combined compared to placebo. For these reasons, the association 
between the pK profiles, biomarker levels and clinical outcome are needed to interpret the biomarker response 
to treatment as well as to inform the results of the parent trial. As an example, if a longer half-life is shown to 
be associated with a favorable biomarker profile, this would potentially suggest a benefit for redosing or 
extending the TXA infusion period. Alternatively, if the higher maximum concentration achieved in the 2-gram 
bolus arm is associated with a favorable biomarker profile, this would help inform the most efficacious dosing 
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regimen in the future. The opportunity to examine the biomarker response in the two different dosing arms of 
this trial with the associated pK profile will enable us to  
 
determine if these candidate biomarkers can be used as a measure of treatment effect for TXA in patients with 
TBI and potentially incorporate them in a follow-up phase III trial for this purpose. 
Creation of a genomic and transcriptomic repository for future biomarker development 
While the biomarkers of structural brain injury proposed in this study are the most promising markers of TBI 
currently available, there remains an incomplete understanding of post-injury cellular and molecular changes 
after TBI.34 Examination of RNA and DNA expression is rapidly increasing the ability to examine molecular 
changes after TBI. As an example, MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that modulate protein 
expression by antagonizing mRNA translation that have a powerful role in the regulation of gene expression 
and cellular function.35 Because a single miRNA can block translation of many mRNAs, they are very potent 
regulators at the network level. Thus, global patterns of change in both the injured tissue as well as the 
circulation can be determined. Recent miRNA microarray studies indicate that pathways such as apoptosis, 
inflammation and cell proliferation are among the most commonly affected in CNS injuries, and that changes in 
these pathways are conserved across CNS injuries to stroke.36 This type of information is crucial to providing 
insight into therapeutic targets for future TBI trials. Because miRNA levels are altered after TBI and these 
changes have a profound effect on downstream targets, restoration and inhibition of miRNA activity presents 
the opportunity to modulate these cellular processes. In order to realize the potential for miRNA, validation of 
findings from animal models will need to be performed in large human samples. By creating a repository of 
miRNA, mRNA and DNA from patients with TBI very early after injury, future investigators will have the 
opportunity to further explore both miRNA-based and genome-based therapies and potentially improve 
outcome after TBI. It is important that we leverage the significant resources already committed for this large 
clinical trial now, in order to support a broad-range of studies in the future that could lead to potentially lead to 
new biomarkers and new treatment targets for TBI. 
 
B. SPECIFIC AIMS 
Specific Aim 1: To determine if initial values, or trends in serially measured circulating brain-specific 
biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) are associated with the presence of intracranial hemorrhage 
(ICH), TBI pattern and severity, and long-term outcome after moderate or severe acute TBI. 
Hypothesis 1.1: Elevated biomarker levels measured within 2 hours of TBI are associated with ICH on initial 
computed tomography (CT) scan and less favorable Rotterdam and Marshall CT classification scores. 
Hypothesis 1.2: Biomarkers that remain elevated or subsequently increase during the first 48 hours after injury 
are associated with ICH progression and a less favorable outcome as measured by the GOS-E at 6 months. 
The primary aim examines whether elevated biomarker levels accurately identify the presence of ICH, as 
well as the specific pattern (focal versus diffuse) and severity of TBI. It will also determine if sustained 
biomarker levels or an increasing trajectory of early biomarker levels reflect worsening ICH and unfavorable 
outcome. These data would be extremely valuable to determine clinically relevant endpoints including 
identification of appropriate patients for inclusion into clinical TBI trials and targeting patients for more intensive 
intervention.  
 
Specific Aim 2: To determine if circulating brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) are 
associated with treatment arm allocation, serum TXA level, and long-term outcome as measured by the 
GOS-E 6 months after injury in moderate or severe acute TBI. 
Hypothesis 2.1: In TXA treated patients compared to placebo, decreased circulating biomarkers measured 
serially during the first 48 hours after TBI are associated with a favorable long-term outcome.  
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Hypothesis 2.2: In TXA treated patients, serum TXA levels are inversely associated with circulating biomarkers 
and directly associated with long-term outcome. 
 
 
 
 
 
The secondary aim examines whether serum TXA levels are associated with circulating biomarkers. If early 
biomarker levels are shown to be a measure of treatment response, this would inform future treatment 
paradigms for the use of TXA in TBI. By identifying patients who benefit most from TXA treatment and 
quantifying the treatment response, these biomarkers could impact treatment decisions. Knowledge of the 
pharmacokinetic and biomarker profiles associated with a favorable outcome would help establish the optimal 
dosing regimen for future clinical trials, including a follow-up phase III trial to the Prehospital Tranexamic Acid 
Use for Traumatic Brain Injury (Prehospital TXA for TBI) Trial. 
 
Specific Aim 3: To determine if circulating brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) 
improve long-term outcome prediction after moderate or severe acute TBI. 
Hypothesis 3: Elevated circulating biomarkers measured within 2 hours of TBI improve outcome prediction as 
measured by the Disability Rating Scale (DRS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) at 6 months. 
The tertiary aim incorporates biomarker and clinical data obtained early after injury in patients enrolled in 
the control arm of a large prehospital clinical trial to determine if adding biomarkers to the well-validated 
IMPACT core model (including age, GCS motor score, pupillary reactivity) improves 6-month outcome 
prediction. This would provide a basis to inform treatment decisions and inclusion criteria for enrollment in 
future clinical trials. 
In addition to the aims above, we propose to leverage the resources of this large clinical trial to create a 
genomic and transcriptomic specimen repository from sequential time points very early after injury in patients 
enrolled in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial. This unique repository from patients with moderate or severe TBI 
will allow future examination of systemic genomic and transcriptomic changes that occur after TBI. Future 
studies resulting from this repository have the potential to provide diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic 
insight that would significantly advance the understanding of the pathophysiology of TBI. 
 
C. INNOVATION 
The Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial is the first large clinical trial to randomize patients to receive a potential 
therapeutic drug for moderate or severe TBI in the prehospital setting within 2 hours of injury. Approximately 
1000 patients will be enrolled at 10 centers across the US and Canada under an FDA Exception from Informed 
Consent to determine if early administration of TXA is effective for improving outcome measured 6 months 
after injury. Because patients will be randomized by first-responders at the injury scene and followed for 6 
months, this provides a unique opportunity to validate the most promising brain-specific serum biomarkers. 
This will be the first study to prospectively examine the diagnostic and prognostic value of circulating brain-
specific biomarkers measured very early after injury in patients enrolled in the prehospital setting of a large 
randomized controlled trial of moderate and severe TBI. While studies have shown that biomarkers of 
structural brain injury measured in serum are associated with outcome after TBI, they are not yet established 
for clinical use to reliably detect and assess the degree of brain injury or predict outcome. With this study we 
will be able to refine the diagnosis of TBI to enable early identification of specific patterns of brain 
injury that can be linked to appropriate therapeutic interventions for targeted inclusion into clinical 
trials. Furthermore, we may expand upon existing prediction models to support both clinical practice 
and TBI research, including the design and analysis of randomized trials. In addition, we may also for 
the first time establish brain-specific biomarkers as an effective method of monitoring response to 
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treatment in TBI that could have widespread use both clinically and in interventional TBI trials. Each of 
these aims will contribute to the success of future clinical trials in TBI including the follow-up phase III trial of 
the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial. Finally, by leveraging the resources of this large clinical trial to obtain 
specimens very early after injury, we will create the first large repository integrating genomic and transcriptomic 
information with comprehensive clinical, laboratory and imaging data from patients with moderate and severe 
TBI. This repository will serve to expand TBI related research to support new biomarker development as well 
as a broad range of studies that will significantly advance our understanding of the pathophysiology of TBI. 
 
 
 
D. STUDY DESIGN 
The proposed study to examine the relationship between serum levels of biomarkers of structural brain 
injury and clinical outcome will be carried out in the cohort of approximately 1000 patients with moderate and 
severe TBI enrolled in the Prehospital TXA for TBI clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01990768). This 
clinical trial will be conducted using the infrastructure of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC). ROC 
is a multicenter network funded by federal organizations in the United States and Canada (including the DoD 
and NHLBI) to conduct clinical trials targeting cardiac arrest and life-threatening trauma.37 The Prehospital 
Tranexamic Acid for Traumatic Brain Injury Trial will be the 11th prehospital randomized trial conducted by 
ROC and the third trial in patients with TBI. The following is a brief overview of the trial. 
The Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II multicenter trial in 
which approximately 1000 patients with moderate or severe TBI will be randomized (1:1:1) to one of three 
arms: 
• 
1-gram TXA prehospital bolus followed by an in-hospital 1-gram 8 hour infusion 
• 
2-gram TXA prehospital bolus followed by an in-hospital placebo infusion 
• 
Placebo prehospital bolus followed by an in-hospital placebo infusion 
The following are the primary inclusion criteria and outcome measures for the parent trial: 
Inclusion criteria: 
• 
Blunt and penetrating traumatic mechanism of injury consistent with TBI  
• 
Prehospital GCS ≤ 12 prior to administration of sedative and/or paralytic agents with at least one 
reactive pupil 
• 
Pre-hospital systolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg 
• 
Estimated time from injury to hospital arrival of < 2 hours 
Primary outcome: 
• 
Disability at 6 months based on the GOS-E  
Secondary outcomes: 
• 
Clinical outcomes: neurologic outcome at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days 
• 
Radiographic outcomes: intracranial hemorrhage progression, Marshall CT and Rotterdam CT 
classification scores 
• 
Safety outcomes (seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction, deep venous 
thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) 
• 
Mechanistic outcomes (coagulation pathway mediator analysis and viscoelastic testing using 
thromboelastography [TEG]) 
Integration of this biomarker study with the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
The inclusion criteria for this study will be the same as the inclusion criteria for the Prehospital TXA for TBI 
clinical trial. Eligible patients must be at least 15 years old and have a GCS of 12 or less with at least one 
reactive pupil. Patients with hypotension, cardiopulmonary arrest or seizures prior to randomization will be 
excluded. The Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial will enroll patients in the prehospital setting and precludes the 
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ability to obtain informed consent at the time of enrollment. The trial qualifies for the “Exception From Informed 
Consent Required for Emergency Research” outlined in FDA regulation 21CFR50.24. The Institutional Review 
Board (IRB) for the ROC Clinical Trials Center at the University Of Washington has reviewed and approved the 
informed consent procedures for the parent trial. Additional sites (including the OHSU Clinical Site and Clinical 
Coordinating Center) have contingent IRB approval and are ready to begin community consultation. The 
remaining clinical sites are in the process of obtaining IRB approval. In order to seamlessly integrate the 
biomarker component of the protocol into the parent study, it has been incorporated into the required 
community consultation presentations. Consent for this ancillary study will be incorporated as follows: 
Consent for non-genetic biomarker tests 
The parent TXA Study consent includes language that allows for future use of blood to be collected (non-
genetic). No additional specimen collection or consent is needed for the brain-specific biomarkers and the pK 
studies as outlined in the specific aims. 
Consent for the genomic and transcriptomic repository 
A separate consent and additional blood collection is required for creation of the genomic and transcriptomic 
specimen repository. A consent form has been created that specifically relates to this repository and is 
separate from the overall TXA study consent. Participation in both studies will have two consent forms. 
Recruitment timeline for the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
Recruitment in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial is anticipated to begin in October 2014 based on 
completion of Community Consultation activities at each site. The trial is expected to enroll 1002 patients at 10 
clinical sites over a one-year period. Since all required regulatory and community consultation and notification 
for this ancillary study will be in place prior to funding, if funded during the current NIH cycle with this expedited 
funding timeline beginning December 1st 2014, enrollment for this study will approximately coincide with the 
beginning of enrollment for the parent trial. This will allow full biomarker and pK analyses as these samples will 
be collected as part of the parent trial. Depending on the start of the trial, the maximum number of patients 
eligible for the genomic and transcriptomic samples will range between 730 (based on an October 1st trial start 
date) and 886 (based on a November 1st start date). This will ensure a robust sample size for establishing the 
repository. 
Time points for sample collection 
We will use the biomarker levels obtained from the earliest time point (arrival to the ED) based on our 
preliminary data that showed a strong correlation between early biomarker measurements and outcome. 
Based on data from the ROC Hypertonic Saline Study, we anticipate that most of the initial blood samples will 
be obtained approximately 90 minutes after TBI.38 We will also measure biomarker levels at 6, 12, 24, and 48 
hours to examine the evolution of biomarker release in relation to outcome. We will measure the TXA pK 
profile at these same time points as the biomarker profile will be important in determining the response to TXA 
treatment. This will also help determine whether the effect of TXA treatment can be monitored by measuring 
biomarker levels during the first 48 hours after TBI, potentially establishing biomarkers as a routine method of 
determining effective treatment and guiding decisions related to additional interventions. 
Sample collection 
Biomarker and pK sample analysis will be done on blood already being collected as part of the main 
protocol. As a requirement for participation in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial, all sites will have research 
coordinators on-site 24 hours per day to ensure the initial blood sample is obtained as soon as possible after 
ED arrival, and to ensure the in-hospital TXA dose is administered in a timely fashion. All attempts will be 
made to obtain study samples at the pre-specified time intervals. Samples at times 0, 6, and 12 hours must be 
collected within +/- 30 minutes. Sampling at 24 and 48 hours will be collected within +/- 2 hours. In the event 
that samples cannot be collected in this time frame, documentation regarding the reason will be noted on the 
data collection forms. In addition to samples collected as part of the parent study, each subject will provide one 
blood sample collected in a PAXgene tube (2.5 mL) for RNA stabilization on arrival to the Emergency 
Department (time 0) and 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after study randomization. Another sample (3.0 mL) will be 
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collected in an Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD) tube for preservation of genetic material at admission. All samples 
drawn for research purposes will be identified by the study number, the site identification number and date/time 
of collection. No personal identifying information will be included on the samples processed for research 
purposes. Samples from participating sites will be frozen, batched, and shipped to the OHSU Clinical 
Coordinating Center. OHSU will be the repository guardian for the samples and results. The procedures for 
collection for all samples including DNA and RNA preservation are currently being incorporated into the 
Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial Manual of Operations. Procedures for DNA and RNA specimen collection and 
processing will follow the “NINDS Repository Biomarkers Discovery Samples Resource Laboratory Manual 
Guidelines.”39 The OHSU Clinical Coordinating Center will manage initial sample storage and tracking. 
Samples for biomarker analysis will be shipped in batch to Dr. Papa’s laboratory at Orlando Regional Medical 
Center. Specimens will be transported to the OHSU Bioanalytical Shared Resource/Pharmacokinetics Core for 
TXA pK analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. PAXgene (mRNA and miRNA) and 
ACD (DNA) collection vials will be transported to the Integrated Genomics Laboratory at OHSU for creation of 
the repository. 
 
 
 
Biomarker assays 
Banyan has extensive experience in assay development and validation including expertise in developing 
high-affinity antibodies to proteins. For the UCH-L1 assay, a mouse monoclonal antibody (as capture antibody) 
and a rabbit polyclonal antibody (as detection antibody) are used in combination with a commercially available 
anti-rabbit IgG-HRP (Amersham) as labeling antibody. The capture and detection antibody have been 
developed to full-length recombinant human UCH-L1 protein. A detailed description of the assay methods has 
been published by Dr. Papa.40 The GFAP and SBDP150 assays follow an identical outline, but employ different 
biomarker-specific capture and detection antibodies. For the GFAP assay, a mouse monoclonal antibody (as 
capture antibody) and rabbit polyclonal antibody (as detection antibody) are used. Capture and detection 
antibodies were generated to full-length human recombinant GFAP. The SBDP150 assay uses a goat 
polyclonal antibody as capture antibody and a mouse monoclonal horseradish peroxidase conjugated antibody 
as detection antibody. 
TXA pK profile analysis 
Two separate cohorts for the pK analysis will be established as described below: 
Extensive sampling cohort 
The first 100 patients enrolled at the OHSU clinical site will have blood drawn at the following time points 
based on the prehospital bolus TXA dose: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, and 48hrs. This will enable a robust pK 
profile to be established with greater confidence in estimated pK parameters. Serum will be isolated within 1 
hour of blood collection, frozen, and shipped to the OHSU shared Bioanalytical Core Laboratory for quantifying 
serum TXA levels using a highly sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay. 
Serum levels will be fitted against time to construct pK profiles and estimate PK parameters. The following PK 
parameters will be generated: area under the curve from time 0 to 48 hour (AUC0-48), AUC from 0 to infinity 
(AUC0-∞), maximum concentration (Cmax), time to Cmax (Tmax), half-life (t1/2), clearance (CL/F), volume of 
distribution (Vd/F). 
Limited sampling cohort 
Samples will be obtained from 5 time points for all patients (arrival to ED, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after study 
randomization). This limited sampling scheme will enable an estimate of PK parameters (with less confidence 
than in the extensive sampling group), with the exception of t1/2 which will remain robust. Analyses will focus on 
the extensive sampling cohort with the exception of t1/2 which will be extended to all subjects.  
 
 
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E. ANALYSIS PLAN 
 
Analysis plan for the aims of this study: 
Hypothesis 1.1: Elevated biomarkers measured within 2 hours of TBI more accurately predict ICH and 
brain injury pattern and severity on initial computed tomography (CT) scan than GCS. 
 
As preliminary analyses, we will use logistic regression to examine whether initial levels of brain-specific 
biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) are associated with the presence of ICH on initial CT scan in subjects 
in the placebo arm. In patients with evidence of brain injury (Marshall score >1), we will also examine the 
association with mass lesions vs diffuse injury. 
To examine whether initial brain-specific biomarker levels (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) improve upon GCS 
in predicting presence of injury, we will create Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves that describe 
the sensitivity and specificity profiles of each individual biomarkers for predicting the presence of ICH on initial 
CT scan. We will compute the area under the ROC curve (AUC) as a summary measure of the predictive 
ability of each biomarker and compare it to the AUC based on the GCS alone. A confidence interval for the 
difference in AUCs will be computed using Delong’s method.41 
 
 
To examine whether combinations of the initial brain-specific biomarker levels (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) 
improves upon GCS or whether one or more of these biomarkers together with GCS improves upon the GCS 
alone in predicting presence of injury or injury pattern, we will adopt a 10-fold cross-validation approach42 to 
develop multivariable predictive models based on combinations of biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers 
and GCS. Levels of the three biomarkers and the GCS will be candidate variables in these models, which will 
relate the probability of ICH outcome, p, to biomarkers and GCS and possibly their interactions x1, … xn, as 
follows: log(p/(1-p)) = b0 + b1x1 + … + b4xn. 
Without the need to reserve a separate validation data set, ten-fold cross-validation reduces the optimistic 
bias inherent in evaluating the AUC based on the same data used to fit the model since the evaluations 
depend on the tent of the data not used to fit the model. We will pick the best predictive model size based on 
the maximal cross-validated AUC estimate, and our final predictive model will be based on the model of this 
size that maximizes the likelihood for the full sample. Secondary analyses to obtain models with high clinical 
utility will use this same cross-validation approach to identify and evaluate good tree-based models using 
classification and regression tree (CART) methodology.43 We will also fit the predictive model to all subjects in 
the three treatment arms, and examine interaction terms that allow for different associations in the different 
arms. If no significant interactions are detected, we will develop a single predictive model using data from 
subjects in all treatment arms combined. 
Hypothesis 1.2: Biomarkers that remain elevated or subsequently increase during the first 48 hours 
after injury are associated with ICH progression and an increased 28-day mortality. 
Additional goals under Specific Aim 1 are to examine whether there are associations between trends in 
serial biomarker levels during the first 48 hours after injury and two outcomes: ICH progression and 28-day 
mortality. To examine these relationships we will treat the biomarker level as the outcome and use linear mixed 
models to account for the correlation of the multiple biomarker measurements within subjects. The mixed 
models will allow us to test whether both types of clinical measures are associated within-subject biomarker 
mean levels and slopes over time. 
Hypothesis 2.1: In TXA treated patients compared to placebo, decreased biomarkers measured serially 
during the first 48 hours after TBI are associated with a favorable long-term outcome.  
Preliminary analyses will use linear mixed models, as above, to examine whether treatment group is 
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related to mean levels and subject-specific slopes in serial measurements of brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, 
UCH-L1, SBDP150) over the first 48 hours after injury. We will also examine whether favorable outcome of 
GOS-E at six months is related to mean levels and slopes in biomarkers within 48 hours of injury.  
Hypothesis 2.2: In TXA treated patients, serum TXA levels are inversely associated with circulating 
biomarker levels and directly associated with long-term outcome. 
In TXA-treated patients, we will use linear mixed models to examine whether pharmacokinetic (pK) 
parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax, T½, clearance, and Vd) are associated with mean levels and slopes of serial 
levels of brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) during the first 48 hours after injury. Interaction 
terms with treatment group will allow us to test whether these associations differ by dosing regimen. We will 
also use logistic regression to examine whether pK parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax, t½, clearance, and Vd) in 
the two dose groups are associated with favorable clinical outcome at six months based on the GOS-E. We will 
then (with interaction terms) examine whether these associations differ by dosing regimen. 
Subsequent analyses will examine the extent to which serial biomarker levels during the first 48 hours after 
injury explain the association between PK parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax, t½, clearance, and Vd) and 6-
month GOS-E among those treated with TXA, and to what extent they explain the association between 
treatment group (placebo, bolus-only, and bolus plus infusion) and 6-month GOS-E. Taking the treatment 
group comparison as the example, we will fit logistic regression models relating dummy variables for the two 
treatment groups to the outcome of 6-month GOS-E < 5 both with and without adjustment for serial biomarker 
levels. We will then compare adjusted and unadjusted results from these models to estimate whether an 
important proportion of the treatment differences are explained by the biomarker levels. One minus the ratios 
of these two coefficients will  
 
be used to estimate the proportion of the estimated association that is explained by the biomarkers. 
Confidence intervals for these explained proportions will be obtained using the bootstrap.44 Similar analyses 
will examine to what extent the biomarkers explain the pK parameter- 6-month GOSE associations, after 
adjustment for and possible interaction with dosing regimen. 
Hypothesis 3: Elevated circulating biomarkers measured within 2 hours of TBI improve outcome 
prediction as measured by the DRS and GOS-E at 6 months. 
Among controls, we will relate initial brain-specific biomarker levels (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) to poor 
clinical outcome (GOS-E < 5) at six months by fitting logistic regression models. Using single-variable linear 
logistic models, preliminary descriptive analyses will compute the crude OR for poor outcome associated with a 
one standard deviation difference in the biomarker and a 95% confidence interval. 
To develop a multivariable predictive logistic model including brain-specific biomarkers that might improve 
upon the IMPACT Core Model,9,10 we will adopt a 10-fold cross-validation approach like the one to be used 
under the analysis for Specific Aim 1. All variables in the IMPACT Core model together with initial values of 
GFAP, UCH-L1, and SBDP150 and all squares of continuous variables two-way interactions between variables 
will be candidate variables for this model. As for analyses under Specific Aim 1, model size will be chosen by 
cross-validation, and the best final predictive model of that size will be identified from all the control-group 
subjects. Secondary analyses to obtain models with high clinical utility will also use this cross-validation 
approach to identify and evaluate good tree-based models using CART methodology. 
As an exploratory analysis, we will also fit our predictive model to the combined data including control-arm 
and treatment-arm subjects, and allow interactions between TXA treatment (placebo, bolus-only, and bolus 
plus infusion) and all variables in the predictive model from controls. Significant interaction terms in these 
models could be used to generate hypotheses about the types of patients who benefit most from treatment for 
examination in future trials. If no significant interactions are detected, we will develop a single predictive model 
to data from subjects in all treatment arms combined. 
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Sample size justification 
The sample size for primary analyses for the TXA clinical trial is 963 eligible patients (321 per group) 
assuming (based on the ROC Hypertonic Saline (HS) Trial)38 4% of the 1002 target enrollment will have the 
treatment kit opened and not given. Based on prior experience in subjects with severe TBI (GCS ≤ 8) from the 
same clinical sites and hospitals for the TXA trial (that participated in the HS trial), head CT scans were 
obtained for more than 95% of subjects. In this cohort between 59% and 88% of subjects had a Marshall score 
> 1 (depending on site). We anticipate slightly lower rates in the TXA trial based on the eligibility criteria 
including both moderate and severe TBI (GCS ≤ 12). To calculate the power we will have to determine if a 
biomarker combined with GCS improves upon GCS alone as a predictor of ICH, we simulated the power to 
detect odds ratios for the association of a one standard deviation higher biomarker value in a logistic model 
that also includes GCS based on a control-group sample size of .90 × 321 = 289. Under a variety of 
correlations between GCS and biomarker ranging from +/- .1 to +/-.5, ORs for the association of a 1 SD lower 
GCS ranging from 1.2 to 2.0, and average probabilities of ICH ranging from .6 to .8, we consistently had 80% 
power or more to detect an OR of 1.5 associated with a one SD higher biomarker value (in some settings we 
had more than 80% power to detect an odds ratio of 1.4). These are consistent with ORs associated with these 
biomarkers that have been found in a number of smaller studies.45-48 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
References Cited 
 
1. Coronado VG, Xu L, Basavaraju SV et al.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Surveillance 
for traumatic brain injury-related deaths-United States, 1997-2007.  MMWR Surveill Summ. 2011;60:1-32. 
2. Thurman DJ, Alverson C, Dunn KA et al.  Traumatic brain injury in the United States: A public health 
perspective.  J Head Trauma Rehabil. 1999;14:602-615. 
3. Manley GT, Maas AI.  Traumatic brain injury.  An international knowledge-based approach.  JAMA. 
2013;310:473-474. 
4. Injury prevention and control: traumatic brain injury. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web page. 
http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury. Accessed May 10, 2014. 
5. Carey ME.  Analysis of wounds incurred by US Army Seventh Corps personnel treated in Corps hospitals 
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6. Sapsford W. Penetrating brain injury in military conﬂict: does it merit more research? J R Army Med Corps. 
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7. Okie S. Traumatic brain injury in the war zone. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:2043-2047. 
8. Owens BD, Kragh JF, Wenke JC et al.  Combat wounds in operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation 
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9. Roozenbeek B, Lingsma HF, Lecky FE et al.  Prediction of outcome after moderate and severe traumatic 
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10. Panczykowsi DM, Puccio AM, Scruggs BJ et al.  Prospective independent validation of IMPACT modeling 
as a prognostic tool in severe traumatic brain injury.  J Neurotraum.  2012;29:47-52. 
11. Marmarou A, Lu J, Butcher I et al.  Prognostic value of the Glasgow Coma Scale and pupil reactivity in 
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2007;24:270-280. 
12. Maas AI, Steyerberg EW, Butcher I et al. Prognostic value of computed tomography scan characteristics in 
traumatic brain injury: results from the IMPACT study.  J Neurotraum. 2007;24:303-314. 
13. McHugh GS, Engel DC, Butcher I et al.  Prognostic value of secondary insults in traumatic brain injury: 
results from the IMPACT study.  J Neurotraum. 2007;24:287-293. 
14. Van Beek JG, Mushkudiani NA, Steyerberg EW et al.  Prognostic value of admission laboratory parameters 
in traumatic brain injury: results from the IMPACT study.  J Neurotraum. 2007;24:315-328. 
15. Czeiter E, Mondello, S, Kovacs N et al.  Brain injury biomarkers may improve the predictive power of the 
IMPACT outcome calculator.  J Neurotraum. 2012;10:1770-1778. 
16. Cornelius C, Crupi R, Calabrese V et al.  Traumatic brain injury: oxidative stress and neuroprotection.  
Antioxid Redox Signal. 2013;19:836-853. 
17. Hergenroeder GW, Redell JB, Moore AN et al.  Biomarkers in the clinical diagnosis and management of 
traumatic brain injury.  Mol Diagn Ther.  2008;12:345-358. 
18. Mondello S, Robicsek SA, Gabrielli A et al.  AlphaII-spectrin breakdown products (SBDPs): diagnosis and 
outcome in severe traumatic brain injury patients.  J Neurotraum. 2010:27:1203-1213. 
19. Svetlov SI,  Larner SF, Kirk DR et al.  Biomarkers of blast-induced neurotrauma: profiling molecular and 
cellular mechanisms of blast brain injury.  J Neurotraum. 2009;26:913-921. 
20. Tolan NV, Vidal-Folch N, Algeciras-Schimnich A et al.  Individualized correction of neuron-specific enolase 
(NSE) measurement in hemolyzed serum samples.  Clin Chim Acta. 2013;424:216-221.  
21. Pelinka LE, Hertz H, Mauritz W et al.  Nonspecific increase of systemic neuron-specific enolase after 
trauma: clinical and experimental findings.  Shock. 2005;24:119-123. 
22. Anderson RE, Hansson LO, Nilsson O et al.  High serum S100B levels for trauma patients without head 
injuries.  Neurosurgery. 2001;48:1255-1260. 
23. Berger RP, Adelson PD, Pierce MC et al.  Serum neuron-specific enolase, S100B, and myelin basic protein 
concentrations after inflicted and noninflicted traumatic brain injury in children.  J Neurosurg. 2005;103:61-
68. 
24. Okamoto S, Hijikata-Okunomiya A, Wanaka K et al.  Enzyme controlling medicines: an introduction.  Semin 
Thromb Hemost. 1997;23:493-501. 
25. CRASH-2 trial collaborators. Effect of tranexamic acid in traumatic brain injury: a nested randomized, 
placebo controlled trial (CRASH-2 Intracranial Bleeding Study). BMJ. 2011;343:d3795. 
26. Yutthakasemsunt S, Kittiwatanagul W, Piyavechvirat P et al. Tranexamic acid for patients with traumatic 
brain injury: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.  BMC Emerg Med. 2013;13. 
27. Napolitano LM, Cohen MJ, Cotton BA et al.  Tranexamic acid in trauma: how should we use it? J Trauma 
Acute Care Surg. 2013;74:1575-1586. 
28. Kaur J, Zhao Z, Klein GM et al.  The neurotoxicity of tissue plasminogen activator.  J Cereb Blood Flow 
Metab. 2004;24:945-963. 
29. Fujimoto S, Katsuki H, Ohnishi M et al.  Plasminogen potentiates thrombin cytotoxicity and contributes to 
pathology of intracerebral hemorrhage in rats.  J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2008; 28:506-515. 
30. Greenidge AR, Hall KR, Hambleton IR et al.  Plasmin activation of glial cells through protease-activated 
receptor 1.  Pathol Res Int. 2013; 2013:314709. 
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31. Eriksson O, Kjellman H, Pilbrant A et al.  Pharmacokinetics of tranexamic acid after intravenous 
administration to normal volunteers.  Europ J Clin Pharmacol. 1974; 7:375-380. 
32. Sharma V, Fan J, Jerath A et al.  Pharmacokinetics of tranexamic acid in patients undergoing cardiac 
surgery with use of cardiopulmonary bypass.  Anaesthesia. 2012; 67: 1242-1250. 
33. Nilsson IM.  Clinical pharmacology of aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acids. J Clin Pathol Suppl (R Coll 
Pathol) 1980;14:41-47. 
34. Michael DB, Byers DM, Irwin LN.  Gene expression following traumatic brain injury in humans: analysis by 
microarray. J Clin Neurosci. 2005;12:284-290. 
35. Carthew RW, Sontheimer EJ.  Origins and mechanism of miRNAs and siRNAs.  Cell.  2009;136:642-655. 
36. Liu N-K, Xu X-M.  MicroRNA in central nervous system trauma and degenerative disorders.  Physiol 
Genomics. 2011;43:571-580. 
37. Hoyt DB.  Post hoc ergo propter hoc: the story of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium.  J Trauma 
Acute Care Surg. 2013;74:8-16. 
38. Bulger EM, May S, Brasel KJ et al.  Out-of-hospital hypertonic resuscitation following severe traumatic 
brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.  JAMA. 2010;304:1455-1464. 
39. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). NINDS repository biomarkers discovery 
samples resource. 
http://fitbir.nih.gov/assets/NINDS_Repository_Biomarkers_Discovery_Samples_Resource_Manual.pdf. 
Accessed May 20, 2014. 
40. Papa L, Akinyi L, Liu MC et al.  Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase is a novel biomarker in humans for severe 
traumatic brain injury. Crit Care Med. 2010; 38:138-144. 
41. DeLong ER, DeLong DM, Clarke-Pearson DL.  Comparing the areas under two or more correlated receiver 
operating characteristic curves: a nonparametric approach.  Biometrics. 1988;44:837-845. 
42. Hastie T, Tibshirani R, Friedman J. The elements of statistical learning: data mining, inference, and 
prediction.  2nd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2009. 
43. Breiman L, Friedman J, Stone CJ et al.  Classification and regression trees.  New York: Chapman and 
Hall/CRC, 1984. 
44. Efron B, Tibshirani RJ.  An introduction to the bootstrap.  Boca Raton, FL:CRC Press; 1994. 
45. Mondello S, Akinyi L, Buki A et al.  Clinical utility of serum levels of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase as a 
biomarker for severe traumatic brain injury.  Neurosurgery. 2012;70:666-675. 
46. Mondello S, Papa L, Buki A et al.  Neuronal and glial markers are differently associated with computed 
tomography findings and outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a case control study.  Crit 
Care. 2011;15:R156. 
47. Jauch EC, Lindsell C, Broderick J et al.  Association of serial biochemical markers with acute ischemic 
stroke: the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen 
Activator Stroke Study.  Stroke. 2006;37:2508-2513. 
48. Papa L, Ramia MM, Kelly JM et al.  Systematic review of clinical research on biomarkers for pediatric 
traumatic brain injury.  J Neurotraum. 2013;30:324-328. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Sample – Genetics Consent/Notification 
 
[Insert name of institution] 
 
Continued Participation Consent/Notification Form 
 
Blood-based Biomarkers of Brain Injury and Clinical Outcome in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
 
Investigators 
 
[List name, title and phone numbers] 
 
Sample – Genetic Clinical Research Consent and Authorization Form 
 
 
PURPOSE: 
 
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“You” throughout this document refers either to yourself, as the patient, or the person for whom you are the 
legally authorized representative (LAR). You have been invited to be in this research study because you have 
a traumatic brain injury and were enrolled in the Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
study. The purpose of this study is to better understand if changes in brain chemicals in those with traumatic 
brain injury are associated with certain genes. We will investigate genetic factors that may affect how the brain 
reacts to traumatic injury. We hope that this information will allow us to better understand how genes affect a 
person’s response to traumatic brain injury.  
 
If a gene or genes can be found, treatment of traumatic brain injury may be improved.  
 
Genes are the units of DNA--the chemical structure carrying your genetic information--that determine many 
human characteristics such as the color of your eyes, your height, and whether you are male or female. 
 
Genetic markers used to identify individual’s response to brain injury have not been identified. Improved 
identification could save millions of dollars in healthcare costs and save thousands of lives. This study is 
important to design future care of those suffering from traumatic brain injury. 
 
The blood samples provided by you will be analyzed in the laboratory to determine whether there are 
differences in the genes of people who have a traumatic brain injury. 
 
This study will enroll approximately 1000 subjects across the United States and Canada. The study will enroll 
approximately 100 subjects here at [institution name]. 
 
 
PROCEDURES: 
!
You have been enrolled in this research study because you have had a traumatic brain injury and were 
enrolled in the Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury study. Blood is drawn for genetic 
testing when you arrive at the hospital and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours if you are still in the hospital. At each time 
point, about 1 teaspoon (5.5 mL) of blood is drawn. These samples will be used to look for changes to genes 
that happen after traumatic brain injury. Your permission is needed to keep any samples collected, and to draw 
any samples not already collected. 
 
 
 
If you have any questions regarding this study now or in the future, contact [site investigator (XXX) XXX-XXXX] 
or other members of the study team at (XXX) XXX-XXXX. 
 
 
SUBJECT ACCESS TO GENETIC INFORMATION:  
 
The results of these studies will not be made available to you because the research is still in an early phase 
and the reliability of the results is unknown. 
 
If we discover new information that is important for your health care, either in this study or the future, you will 
be asked whether you wish to receive the results. You may be required to have the test repeated in a clinical 
laboratory. Because genetic information is complex and sensitive, the results should be discussed with a 
genetic counselor or your primary care giver who can answer your questions or discuss your concerns. You 
would be responsible for all costs associated with having the test repeated and visiting a doctor or genetic 
counselor to discuss the results. 
 
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RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS: 
 
If we are unable to collect a blood sample from an existing IV line, we will need to draw blood from a vein in 
your arm or hand. You may feel some pain when your blood is drawn. There is a small chance the needle will 
cause bleeding, a bruise, an infection, or fainting. 
 
Efforts will be made to keep your personal information confidential as described in the CONFIDENTIALITY 
section, but we cannot guarantee total privacy. 
 
A federal law, called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), generally makes it illegal for health 
insurance companies, group health plans, and most employers to discriminate against you based on your 
genetic information. Be aware that this federal law does not protect you against genetic discrimination by 
companies that sell life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance. GINA also does not protect 
you against discrimination if you have already been diagnosed with the genetic disease being tested. 
 
Although we have made efforts to protect your identity, there is a small risk of loss of confidentiality. If the 
results of these studies of your genetic makeup were to be accidentally released, it might be possible that the 
information we will gather about you as part of this study could become available to an insurer or an employer, 
or a relative, or someone else outside the study. Even though there are certain genetic discrimination 
protections in both Oregon law and federal law, there is still a small chance that you could be harmed if a 
release occurred. 
 
BENEFITS: 
 
You may or may not personally benefit from being in this study. However, by serving as a subject, you may 
help us learn how to benefit patients in the future.  
 
ALTERNATIVES: 
 
You may choose not to be in this study. 
 
CONFIDENTIALITY: 
 
We will take steps to keep your personal information confidential, but we cannot guarantee total privacy.  
 
 
We will create and collect health information about you as described in the Purpose and Procedures sections 
of this form. Health information is private and is protected under federal law and [state] law. By agreeing to be 
in this study, you are giving permission (also called authorization) for us to use and disclose your health 
information as described in this form. 
The investigators, study staff, and others at [site institution] may use the information we collect and create 
about you in order to conduct and oversee this research study. We may release this information to others 
outside of [site institution] who are involved in conducting or overseeing research, including: 
 
• 
The National Institute of Health (NIH) 
• 
The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) 
• 
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
• 
Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) at the University of Washington 
• 
Canadian Regulatory Agencies 
• 
An Independent Research Medical Monitor 
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We will not release information about you to others not listed above, unless required or permitted by law. We 
will not use your name or your identity for publication or publicity purposes, unless we have your special 
permission. 
 
To help protect your privacy, we have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institutes of 
Health.  With this Certificate, researchers cannot be forced to disclose information that may identify you, even 
by a court subpoena, in any federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceedings.  Researchers will use the Certificate to resist any demands for information that would identify 
you, except as explained below. 
 
The Certificate cannot be used to resist a demand for information from personnel of the United States 
Government that is used for auditing or evaluation for Federally funded projects or for information that must be 
disclosed in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
You should understand that a Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you or a member of your family 
from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your Involvement in this research.  If an insurer, 
employer, or other person obtains your written consent to receive research information, then the researchers 
may not use the Certificate to withhold that information. 
 
Exceptions: 
A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent researchers from voluntarily disclosing information about you, 
without your consent in incidents such as child abuse, and intent to harm yourself or others. 
 
Under state Law, suspected child or elder abuse must be reported to appropriate authorities. 
 
[Site institution] complies with state requirements for reporting certain diseases and conditions to local health 
departments. 
 
When we send specimens or information outside of [site institution], they may no longer be protected under 
federal or state law. In this case, your specimens or information could be used and re-released without your 
permission. 
 
Study ID numbers will be assigned to each participant. Only study IDs will be used on study related materials, 
including data and biological samples. Only the investigators and people involved in the conduct of the study 
will be authorized to link the code number to you. All study and research files will be maintained in locked files 
and destroyed at the completion of the study. Publications and presentations resulting from this study will be  
 
reported as aggregate data with no personal identifiers. No names of participants will be released unless 
written permission has been received from the study participant. 
 
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT: 
 
Samples and information about you or obtained from you in this research may be used for commercial 
purposes, such as making a discovery that could be patented or licensed to a company. There are no plans to 
pay you if this happens. You will not have any property rights or ownership or financial interest in or arising 
from products or data that may result from your participation in this study. Further, you will have no 
responsibility or liability for any use that may be made of your samples or information. 
 
COSTS: 
 
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There will be no cost to you or your insurance company to participate in this study. 
 
LIABILITY: 
 
If you believe you have been injured or harmed while participating in this research and require immediate 
treatment, contact [site investigator at (XXX) XXX-XXXX] or [site coordinator at (XXX) XXX-XXXX].  
 
This federally funded study does not have the ability to provide compensation for research-related injury. If you 
are injured or become ill from taking part in this study, it is important to tell your study doctor. Emergency 
treatment may be available but you or your insurance company will be charged for this treatment. 
 
PARTICIPATION: 
 
If you have any questions regarding your rights as a research subject, you may contact the [site institution] 
Research Integrity Office at (503) 494-7887.  
 
You do not have to join this or any research study. You do not have to allow the use and disclosure of your 
health information in the study, but if you do not, you cannot be in the study.  
 
If you do join the study and later change your mind, you have the right to quit at any time. This includes the 
right to withdraw your authorization to use and disclose your health information. If you choose not to join any or 
all parts of this study, or if you withdraw early from any or all parts of the study, there will be no penalty or loss 
of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled, including being able to receive health care services or 
insurance coverage for services. Talk to the investigator if you want to withdraw from the study. 
 
If you no longer want your health information to be used and disclosed as described in this form, you must 
send a written request or email stating that you are revoking your authorization to: 
 
Site Investigator, MD 
Site Institution 
Site Address 
Site Email 
Your request will be effective as of the date we receive it. However, health information collected before your 
request is received may continue to be used and disclosed to the extent that we have already acted based on 
your authorization.  
 
If in the future you decide you no longer want to participate in this research, we will ask for your permission to 
use the information we have collected. If you do not give permission, we will destroy the information. 
 
The samples and information we will collect from you will be stored at [site institution]. They will be stored with 
a coded identifier to protect your privacy. 
 
We will give you any new information during the course of this research study that might change the way you 
feel about being in the study. 
 
Your health care provider may be one of the investigators of this research study and, as an investigator, is 
interested in both your clinical welfare and in the conduct of this study. Before entering this study or at any time 
during the research, you may ask for a second opinion about your care from another doctor who is in no way 
involved in this project. You do not have to be in any research study offered by your physician. 
 
SIGNATURES: 
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Your signature below indicates that you have read this entire form and that you agree to be in this study.  
 
We will give you a copy of this signed form. 
 
 
Printed Name of Subject  
(If 18 or older) 
Signature of Subject  
(If 18 or older) 
Date 
Printed Name of Subject 
(If 15 to 17 years old) 
 
Signature of Subject 
(If 15 to 17 years old) 
Date 
Printed Name of Parent, Guardian, or 
Legally Authorized Representative 
(if subject unable to provide consent or 
under 18 years old) 
  
Signature of Parent, Guardian, or 
Legally Authorized Representative  
(if subject unable to provide consent) 
 
Date 
Relationship to subject  
 
 
Printed Name of Person Obtaining 
Consent  
Signature of Person Obtaining 
Consent  
Date 
 

Prot_SAP_ICF_000.pdf: 
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Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for  
Traumatic Brain Injury  
 
2013-9-13 Proposal for PRC 
2013-9-23 Proposal for FDA IND – Revised Appendix 2 
2013-10-24 FDA IND 119858 Approved 
2013-11-4 Revised Protocol for FDA IND 119858 
2014-1-6 PRC Approved 
2014-2-3 First Revised Protocol for DSMB 
2014-3-4 Second Revised Protocol for DSMB 
2014-3-14 DSMB Approved 
2014-5-23 DSMB Approved: Amendment 1- Revised Protocol and Ancillary Study 
2014-9-9 Amendment 1.1  
2015-4-3 Amendment 1.2  
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01990768 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents 
TXA Acronyms ....................................................................................................................................... 5 
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................... 11 
1.  Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 13 
2.  Specific Aims/Hypothesis Statement .............................................................................................. 13 
2.1 Clinical Hypotheses and Aims .................................................................................................... 13 
2.2 Laboratory Hypotheses and Aims .............................................................................................. 14 
3. Background ............................................................................................................................... 14 
3.1 Traumatic Brain Injury ................................................................................................................ 14 
3.1.1 Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury ................................................................................. 14 
3.1.2 Secondary traumatic brain injury – coagulation and progression of intracranial hemorrhage
 ...................................................................................................................................................... 15 
3.1.3 Secondary traumatic brain injury – inflammation and development of cerebral edema ...... 15 
3.2 Overview of Hemostasis ............................................................................................................. 16 
3.3 TXA ............................................................................................................................................. 16 
3.3.1 FDA indications for TXA ....................................................................................................... 16 
3.3.2 Previous use of TXA ............................................................................................................ 16 
3.3.3 Military and civilian experience with TXA and trauma .......................................................... 17 
3.3.4 CRASH-3 trial ...................................................................................................................... 18 
3.3.5 Potential mechanisms of TXA .............................................................................................. 19 
3.3.6 Limitations of existing evidence: .......................................................................................... 19 
4. Trial Design ...................................................................................................................................... 20 
4.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................ 20 
4.1.1 Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium ................................................................................... 20 
4.1.2 ROC site selection ............................................................................................................... 20 
4.2 Methods and Techniques ........................................................................................................... 21 
4.2.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 21 
4.3 Inclusion Criteria ......................................................................................................................... 21 
4.4 Exclusion Criteria ........................................................................................................................ 21 


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5. Intervention ...................................................................................................................................... 22 
5.1 Screening Procedures ................................................................................................................ 22 
5.2 Study Procedures ....................................................................................................................... 22 
5.2.1 Randomization ..................................................................................................................... 22 
5.2.2 Prehospital intervention ....................................................................................................... 22 
5.2.3 In-hospital intervention ......................................................................................................... 23 
5.2.4 Treatment arms .................................................................................................................... 23 
5.2.5 Drug manufacture and supply .............................................................................................. 24 
5.2.6 Blinding ................................................................................................................................ 24 
5.2.7 Justification for dose selection ............................................................................................. 24 
5.3 Baseline Assessment ................................................................................................................. 25 
5.4 Clinical Data Collection ............................................................................................................... 25 
5.5 Research Laboratory Data Collection ......................................................................................... 26 
5.6 Image Collection and Processing ............................................................................................... 26 
5.7 Concurrent Care ......................................................................................................................... 27 
    5.8 Early Termination of Study Drug……………………………………………………………………...27 
6. Study Outcome Measures ................................................................................................................ 27 
6.1 Primary Outcome Measure: 6 Month Neurologic Outcome ........................................................ 27 
6.2 Secondary Outcome Measures .................................................................................................. 28 
7.  Sample Size for the Primary Outcome ............................................................................................ 30 
8.  Analysis Plan ................................................................................................................................... 30 
8.1 Primary Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 30 
8.2 Pre-Specified Secondary Subgroup Analyses ............................................................................ 30 
8.3 Mechanistic Outcomes ............................................................................................................... 31 
8.4 Plan for Missing Data ................................................................................................................. 31 
8.5 Sequential Monitoring Plan ......................................................................................................... 31 
8.6 Adverse and Serious Adverse Events ........................................................................................ 32 
8.7 Other Adverse Events ................................................................................................................ 33 
8.8 Roles and Responsibilities of the Medical Monitor ..................................................................... 34 
8.9 Data Entry ................................................................................................................................... 34 
8.10 Database Management ............................................................................................................ 34 
9.  Human Subjects Research ............................................................................................................. 35 
9.1 Potential risks ............................................................................................................................. 35 
9.2 Potential Benefits to Placebo Arm .............................................................................................. 35 
9.3 Protection Against Risks ............................................................................................................. 35 
9.3.1 Protection of Human Subjects and Consent ........................................................................ 35 


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9.3.2 Vulnerable populations ........................................................................................................ 37 
9.4 Proposal Timeline ....................................................................................................................... 37 
9.5 Public Purpose ........................................................................................................................... 38 
9.6 Military Significance .................................................................................................................... 38 
10. References ..................................................................................................................................... 39 
11.  Appendix 1 – Exception from Consent for Emergency Research…………………………………..45 
12.  Appendix 2 – Suggested Templates for Consent and Notification Forms………………………….51 
13.  Appendix 3 – Amendment 1: Ancillary IRB Protocol and Consent………………………………….65 
14. Appendix 4 – GOS, GOSE, DRS, Neurological Assessment, and TXA Monograph………………82!
 
 
 


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TXA 
Acronyms 
AA 
Arachidonic Acid 
ABC 
Assessment of Blood Consumption 
ABC/2 
ICH hematoma volume was measured on the initial head CT scan with the 
use of the ABC/2 method, in which A is the greatest diameter on the 
largest hemorrhage slice, B is the diameter perpendicular to A, and C is 
the approximate number of axial slices with hemorrhage multiplied by the 
slice thickness. 
ACT 
Activated clotting time 
ADP 
Adenosine diphosphate 
AE 
Adverse Event 
AHA  
American Heart Association 
AIS 
abbreviated injury score 
AKI 
Acute Kidney Injury 
Alb 
Albumin 
ALI 
Acute Lung Injury 
ARDS 
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome 
AT III 
Antithrombin 
ATC 
Acute Traumatic Coagulopathy 
ATLS 
Advanced Trauma Life Support 
ATV 
All Terrain Vehicle 
AUC 
Area Under the Curve 
Auto 
Autologous blood 
BAT 
Basophil Activation Test 
BD 
Base Deficit 
bHCG 
beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin 
BUN 
Blood Urea Nitrogen 
C 
Celsius 
CaCl2 
Calcium Chloride 
CAT 
Calibrated Automatic 
CBC 
Complete Blood Count 
CCC 
clinical coordinating center 
CeTIR 
Center for Translational Injury Research 
CFR 
Code of Federal Regulations 
CI 
confidence interval 
CIHR  
Canadian Institutes of Health Research 
CO2 
Carbon Dioxide 
CPR 
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation 
CRASH-2 
The Clinical Randomization of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant 
Hemorrhage 
CRASH-3 
Clinical Randomisation of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant Head Injury 


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CRIC 
Cricothyrotomy 
Cryo 
Cryoprecipitate 
CSF 
Cerebral Spinal Fluid 
CSV 
Comma, separated values 
CT 
Computed Tomography 
CTC 
University of Washington Clinical Trial Center 
CVP 
Central Venous Pressure 
DBP 
Diastolic Blood Pressure 
DCC 
Data Coordinating Center (ROC) 
DCR 
Damage Control Resuscitation 
DDE  
Distributed data entry 
DICOM 
Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine 
DNA 
Deoxyribonucleic Acid 
DNR 
Do Not Resuscitate 
DO 
Direct Observation 
DoD 
Department of Defense 
DPL 
Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage 
DRS 
Disability Rating Scale 
DSMB 
Data Safety Monitoring Board 
DVT 
deep venous thrombosis 
EAC 
Endogenous Acute Coagulopathy 
EACA 
Epsilon-aminocaproic acid 
EC 
Executive Committee 
ED 
Emergency Department 
EDTA 
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 
EFIC 
Exception From Informed Consent 
ELISA 
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 
EM 
Emergency Medicine 
EMS 
Emergency Medical Services 
ETP 
Endogenous thrombin potential 
F 
Fahrenheit 
FAST 
Focused Assessment for the Sonography of Trauma 
FDA 
Food and Drug Administration 
FFP 
Fresh Frozen Plasma 
FTP 
File Transfer Protocol 
FWA 
Federal Wide assurance 
GCP 
Good Clinical Practice 
GCS 
Glasgow Coma Scale 
GMP 
Good Manufacturing Practices 
GOS 
Glasgow Outcome Score 
GOS-E 
Glasgow Outcomes Score Extended 


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GSW 
Gun Shot Wound 
h 
hour 
HCCC 
UTHealth Clinical Coordinating Center 
HCG 
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin 
Hct 
Hematocrit 
HD 
Hemodialysis 
HDCC 
UTHealth Data Coordinating Center 
Hes 
Hespan 
Hex 
Hexpan 
Hgb 
Hemoglobin 
HIPAA 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
HR 
Heart Rate 
HS 
Hemorrhagic Shock 
HS 
Hypertonic saline 
Ht 
Hypertonic 
HTML 
Hypertext Markup Language 
HUI 
Health Utilities Index 
ICH 
Intracranial Hemorrhage 
ICP 
Intracranial pressure 
ICRH  
Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health 
ICU 
Intensive Care Unit 
ID 
Identification 
IDE 
Investigational device exemption 
IND 
investigational new drug 
INR 
International Normalized Ratio 
IO 
intraosseous 
IR 
Interventional Radiology 
IRB 
Institutional Review Board 
IRB 
Internal Review Board 
ISS 
Injury Severity Score 
i-Stat 
i-STAT Point-of-care Testing 
IT 
Information Technology 
IVH 
Intraventricular Hemorrhage 
IV 
Intravenous 
JTTS 
Joint Theatre Trauma System 
kg 
kilograms 
LAR 
Legal Authorized Representative 
LED 
Light Emitting Diode 
LR 
Lactated Ringer's 
LSI 
Life Saving Intervention 
LTI 
Life-threatening Traumatic Injury 


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LY30 
Clot Lysis time at 30 minutes 
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mA 
maximum Amplitude 
MATTERS 
Military Application of Tranexamic Acid in Trauma Emergency 
Resuscitation Study 
MC 
Management Committee 
MCC 
Motorcycle Crash 
mg 
milligrams 
MI 
Myocardial Infarction 
min 
minutes 
mL 
milliliters 
mmHg 
millimeters of mercury 
MOF 
Multiple Organ Failure 
MP 
microparticle 
MR 
Medical Record 
MRI 
Magnetic Resonance Imaging 
MRS 
Modified Rankin Score 
MT 
Massive Transfusion 
MVC 
Motor Vehicle Collision 
NEMSIS 
National EMS Information System 
NHLBI 
National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute 
NIH 
National Institute of Health 
NINDS 
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 
NIRS 
Near Infrared Spectroscopy 
NS 
Normal Saline 
O2 
Oxygen 
OCCC 
Oregon Health Sciences University Clinical Coordinating Center 
OCTRI 
Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute 
ODBC 
Open Database Connectivity 
OHRP 
Office for Human Research Protections 
OHSU 
Oregon Health Sciences University 
OOH-CA 
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest 
OPRR 
Office for Protection from Research Risks 
OR 
Operating Room 
PAP 
Plasmin-Alpha-2-Antiplasmin 
PAR 
Protease-activated receptors 
PCC 
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate 
PCR 
Patient Care Record 
PDF 
Portable Document Format 
PE 
Pulmonary Embolism 
PEST 
Political, Economic, Social, and Technological Factors 
PROPHET 
Prospective Observational Prehospital and Hospital Registry for Trauma 


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PI 
Principal Investigator 
Pl 
Plasmalyte 
PLT 
Platelets 
PMSF 
phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride 
PRBC 
packed red blood cells 
PRC 
ROC Protocol Review Committee 
PROPHET 
Prospective Observational Prehospital and Hospital Registry for Trauma 
PROPPR 
Pragmatic Randomized Optimal Plasma and Platelet Ratios 
ProTECT 
Randomized Clinical Trial of Progesterone for Acute Traumatic Brain 
Injury 
PT 
prothrombin time 
PTT 
partial thromboplastin time 
QL 
Quality of life 
RBC 
Red Blood Cell 
RCC 
Regional Clinical Center 
RCT 
Randomized clinical trial 
R&D 
Research and Development 
REB 
Research Ethics Board (Canadian) 
rFVIIa 
Recombinant Factor VIIa 
ROC 
Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium 
RR 
relative risk 
RT PCR 
reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction 
SAE 
Serious Adverse Event 
SAH 
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage 
SAS 
Statistical Analysis System Software 
SBP 
Systolic Blood Pressure 
SC 
Steering Committee 
SCM 
Steering Committee Meeting 
sEPCR 
soluable endothelial protein C receptor 
SI 
Surgical Intervention 
SIR 
Scientific Information Retrieval 
SMC 
Study Monitoring Committee 
SPH 
School of Public Health 
SpO2 
Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen 
SPSS 
Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software 
SQL 
Structured Query Language 
SS 
Special situations 
SSH  
Secure Shell 
SSL 
Secure Sockets Layer 
sTM 
soluble Thrombomodulin 
StO2 
Tissue Oxygenation 


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SUSAR 
suspected unanticipated serious adverse reaction 
TAFI 
Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor 
TBI 
Traumatic Brain Injury 
TBSA 
Total Body Surface Area 
TCCC 
Tactical Combat Casualty Care 
TEG 
Thrombelastograph 
TF 
transfusion 
TFPI 
Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 
TG 
thrombin generation 
TIC 
Trauma Induced Coagulopathy 
TP 
Thawed Plasma 
tPA 
Tissue Plasminogen Activator 
TRALI 
Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury 
TRAP 
Thrombin Receptor Activation Peptide 
TRIO 
Trauma Research Institute of Oregon 
TXA 
Tranexamic Acid 
U 
units 
UCSD 
University of California-San Diego 
UCSF 
University of California-San Francisco 
ug 
microgram 
UK 
United Kingdom 
US 
United States 
USAMRMC United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command 
UT 
Houston 
University of Texas Health Sciences Center Houston 
UTHealth 
University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston 
UW 
University of Washington  
UW-IT 
University of Washington Information Technology 
VAP 
Ventilator assisted pneumonia 
WBA 
Whole Blood Aggregometry 
 
 
 


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SUMMARY  
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid (TXA) Use for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 
Primary aim: To determine the efficacy of two dosing regimens of TXA initiated in the prehospital setting in 
patients with moderate to severe TBI (GCS score ≤12).  
 
Primary hypothesis: The null hypothesis is that random assignment to prehospital administration of TXA in 
patients with moderate to severe TBI will not change the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term 
neurologic outcome compared to random assignment to placebo, based on the GOS-E at 6 months.   
 
Secondary aims: To determine differences between random assignment to TXA and placebo in the following 
outcomes for patients with moderate to severe TBI treated in the prehospital setting with 2 dosing regimens of 
TXA: 
 
• 
Clinical outcomes: ICH progression, Marshall and Rotterdam CT classification scores, DRS at 
discharge and 6 months, GOS-E at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days.  
• 
Safety outcomes:  Development of seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction, deep 
venous thrombosis, and pulmonary thromboembolism. 
• 
Mechanistic outcomes: Alterations in fibrinolysis based on fibrinolytic pathway mediators and degree of 
clot lysis based on TEG. 
 
Inclusion criteria: Blunt and penetrating traumatic mechanism consistent with TBI with prehospital GCS ≤ 12 
prior to administration of sedative and/or paralytic agents, prehospital SBP ≥ 90 mmHg, prehospital 
intravenous (IV) access, age ≥ 15yrs (or weight ≥ 50kg if age is unknown), EMS transport destination based on 
standard local practices determined to be a participating trauma center. 
 
Exclusion criteria: Prehospital GCS=3 with no reactive pupil, estimated time from injury to start of study drug 
bolus dose >2 hours, unknown time of injury, clinical suspicion by EMS of seizure activity, acute MI or stroke or 
known history, to the extent possible, of seizures, thromboembolic disorders or renal dialysis, CPR by EMS 
prior to randomization, burns > 20% TBSA, suspected or known prisoners, suspected or known pregnancy, 
prehospital TXA or other pro-coagulant drug given prior to randomization, subjects who have activated the 
“opt-out” process when required by the local regulatory board. 
 
Study design and infusion period: A multi-center double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial with three 
treatment arms: 
 
• 
Bolus/maintenance arm: 1 gram IV TXA bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a 1 gram IV 
maintenance infusion initiated upon hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours. 
• 
Bolus only arm: 2 grams IV TXA bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a placebo maintenance 
infusion initiated upon hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours. 
• 
Placebo arm: Placebo IV bolus in the prehospital setting followed by a placebo maintenance infusion 
initiated upon hospital arrival and infused over 8 hours. 
 
EMS agencies will carry blinded sealed study drug kits. Once the seal is broken in the presence of the patient, 
the patient is randomized. The EMS study drug kit will contain a vial of either 1 gram TXA, 2 grams TXA, or 
placebo. EMS will mix the study drug in a 250 mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride and administer the bolus 
infusion as soon as life-saving interventions are performed. After randomization, EMS will provide the study 
drug kit ID# to research personnel upon arrival in the emergency department (ED). The research personnel will 
contact the study coordinating center and, using the kit ID#, obtain the unique code ID for the blinded study 
drug vial that matches the randomization assignment for the appropriate drug to be administered in the 
hospital.  
 


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Sample size: The total sample size in the primary analysis population is 963 (321 per group), which will allow 
for 80% power to detect a 7.1% absolute increase in the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term 
neurological outcome as determined by the GOS-E 6 months after injury comparing patients who receive TXA 
to patients who receive placebo, using a one-sided, level 0.1 test.  It will allow for 80% power to detect an 
absolute decrease of 9.5% in the proportion of patients with a favorable long-term neurologic outcome 
comparing patients who receive TXA to patients who receive placebo, using a one-sided, level 0.025 test. 
 
Statistical analysis of primary hypothesis: Modified intention-to-treat analysis using logistic regression to 
test for association and estimate the strength of the association of treatment group with a favorable 6-month 
outcome (defined as a GOS-E > 4), after adjustment for study site. 
 
Human subjects protection: This study qualifies for the exception from informed consent (EFIC) required for 
emergency research outlined in FDA regulation 21CFR50.24. EFIC applies because of life-threatening 
situation, intervention must be administered before consent is feasible, no reasonable way to identify 
prospectively individuals at risk, patients have the prospect of benefit from the treatment, and the research 
could not practically be carried out without the waiver of consent. 
 
 


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1.  Overview 
This multi-center, Phase II trial is designed to determine if Tranexamic Acid (TXA) initiated in the prehospital 
setting improves long-term neurologic outcome compared to placebo in patients with moderate to severe TBI 
who are not in shock.  This study protocol will be conducted as part of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium 
(ROC) at trauma centers in the United States and Canada. ROC is funded by the National Heart Lung and 
Blood Institute (NHLBI) in partnership with the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command 
(USAMRMC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, the 
American Heart Association (AHA), and the Defense Research and Development Canada. ROC is a clinical 
trials network focusing on research primarily in the area of prehospital cardiopulmonary arrest and severe 
traumatic injury. The mission of ROC is to provide infrastructure and project support for clinical trials and other 
outcome-oriented research in the areas of cardiopulmonary arrest and severe traumatic injury that lead to 
evidence-based change in clinical practice.  
2.  Specific Aims/Hypothesis Statement 
2.1 Clinical Hypotheses and Aims 
!
Specific aim 1: To compare 6-month neurologic outcome between patients who are randomly assigned to 
TXA to patients who are randomly assigned to placebo by evaluating the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended 
score (GOS-E) at 6 months post-injury. 
 
Primary Hypothesis: We will perform a one-sided test of the following null hypothesis: 
 
• 
The proportion of patients who have a favorable neurologic outcome (GOS-E > 4) at six months post 
injury who are randomly assigned to TXA is not different from the proportion of patients who have a 
favorable neurologic outcome (GOS-E > 4) who are randomly assigned to placebo. This hypothesis will 
be tested versus the alternative that  the proportion of patients with a favorable neurologic outcome 
who are randomly assigned to TXA is higher than in patients who are randomly assigned to placebo at 
the .1 level and versus the alternative that the proportion of patients with a favorable neurologic 
outcome who are randomly assigned to TXA is lower than it is in the placebo group at the .025 level  
 
 
Specific aim 2: To assess differences in morbidity and mortality measured from randomization through 28 
days or initial hospital discharge between subjects in the bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and placebo 
arm.  
Secondary Hypotheses:  The null hypotheses are that there will be no difference between patients 
who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly assigned to placebo in the 
following: absolute and relative volume of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) progression, proportion with 
ICH progression, Marshall and Rotterdam CT classification scores, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, GOS-E measured at discharge, Disability Rating Scale score (DRS) measured at 
discharge and 6 months, 28-day survival, and ventilator-free, intensive care unit (ICU)-free, and 
hospital-free days.  
 
Specific aim 3: To assess differences in adverse events measured from randomization to initial hospital 
discharge between subjects in the bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and placebo arm. 
 
Tertiary Hypotheses: The null hypotheses are that there will be no difference between patients who 
are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly assigned to placebo in the following: proportion 
of patients experiencing seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction (MI), deep venous 
thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) post randomization through 28 days or discharge, 
whichever occurs first.  


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2.2 Laboratory Hypotheses and Aims 
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Specific aim 1: To compare coagulation profiles over time using kaolin activated thrombelastography (TEG) 
results between patients who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly assigned to 
placebo. 
 
Primary hypothesis:  The null hypothesis is that there will be no difference in the degree of fibrinolysis 
as assessed by percentage of clot lysis determined 30 minutes after the maximum amplitude is 
reached (LY30) between patients who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly 
assigned to placebo. 
  
Specific aim 2: To explore the underlying mechanism of TXA by comparing fibrinolytic pathway mediator 
activity between patients who receive TXA and patients who receive placebo.  
 
Secondary hypothesis:  The null hypothesis is that there will be no change in fibrinolytic pathway 
mediators between patients who are randomly assigned to TXA and patients who are randomly 
assigned placebo. 
 
Specific aim 3: To estimate the association between the degree of fibrinolysis based on kaolin activated TEG 
results and fibrinolytic pathway mediators on primary and secondary clinical outcomes. 
 
Tertiary hypothesis:  The null hypothesis is that no association will exist between the degree of 
fibrinolysis based on TEG and fibrinolytic pathway mediators (listed in specific aim 2) and primary and 
secondary clinical outcomes.  
 
3. Background 
3.1 Traumatic Brain Injury 
3.1.1 Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury 
TBI is the leading cause of death and disability due to trauma and is the number one cause of death in people 
younger than 40 years old.1   Every year, more than 1.6 million people sustain a TBI resulting in 80,000 
permanent severe neurological disabilities and 52,000 deaths.2,3,4 TBI is responsible for the greatest number of 
potential years of life lost from any cause and the highest burden on quality adjusted life years lost in 
survivors.5  Current evidence and clinical guidelines emphasize the importance of early and effective 
hemodynamic resuscitation following TBI and stress the deleterious effects of hemorrhagic shock complicating 
TBI.6 Mortality in patients with severe TBI is greater than 25%7 yet one third of patients still survive with 
minimal to moderate neurologic deficits. Given this wide variability in neurological recovery, an effective 
treatment for TBI has the potential to significantly impact neurologic outcomes.  
 
TBI has been labeled as the signature wound of the Iraq/Afghan conflict. The number of military personnel that 
have suffered blunt TBI has risen dramatically due to an increase in concussive weapons and a decrease in 
penetrating injury as a result of improved armor. Approximately 20% of combat personnel have suffered a TBI 
while in theater,8 and this estimate is likely conservative as there is limited in-field screening. Despite the 
significant impact that TBI has on both the military and civilian populations, there remains no effective 
pharmacological agent that has been shown to improve outcome for TBI. 8,9,10,11 A review of five treatments 
(hyperventilation, mannitol, cerebral spinal fluid drainage, barbiturates, corticosteroids) for TBI found that when 
studies were properly controlled, none of these treatments were shown to be effective for reducing morbidity 
and mortality.12 No new pharmacological therapy has been implemented for routine use in acute TBI in over 30 
years.12 
 


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3.1.2 Secondary traumatic brain injury – coagulation and progression of intracranial 
hemorrhage 
In patients with TBI, the extent of the brain damage is determined by the severity of the primary mechanical 
injury as well as the degree of secondary brain injury. Thus, the management of TBI focuses on limiting 
secondary brain injury. Coagulopathy has been recognized as a major factor contributing to secondary brain 
injury and worse outcome after TBI.13 The mechanism for coagulopathy after TBI has been studied extensively 
but remains unclear. Patients with TBI are at risk for developing abnormalities of both coagulation and 
fibrinolysis.14 There is evidence that the extent of injured brain tissue correlates with the degree of 
coagulopathy.15 In 1974 Goodnight et al. hypothesized that tissue thromboplastin released from damaged 
brain, also known as tissue factor, enters the circulation, activates the extrinsic coagulation pathway, and 
produces fibrin clot.16,17 Tissue factor is considered the primary initiator of coagulation and its release can 
activate the coagulation system excessively in patients with head trauma.18 Additional proposed mechanisms 
involve abnormalities in the fibrinolytic system as well as depletion of platelets and clotting factors following 
blood loss or consumption from disseminated intravascular coagulation.19 A more recent hypothesis suggests 
that TBI alone does not cause early coagulopathy but must be coupled with hypoperfusion to lead to 
coagulation derangements associated with the activation of the protein C pathway.20  
 
Overall, up to 50% of patients with TBI develop progression of ICH as evidenced by a new or progressive 
lesion on repeat head computed tomography (CT) scan.21 Eighty-five percent of patients with at least one 
abnormal routine coagulation test will develop progression of ICH, yet even in patients with normal coagulation 
assays, 1/3 of patients will still develop progression.21 The correlation between routinely collected coagulation 
tests and progression of ICH remains controversial. Stein et al. demonstrated that an abnormal International 
Normalized Ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and platelet count independently 
correlated with progression of injury.21 Oertel et al. showed only the aPTT correlated with injury progression22 
while Schnuriger et al. showed that decreased platelet counts (though still within the normal range) were 
associated with increased ICH progression.23 While the relative impact of individual clotting abnormalities on 
progression of ICH continues to be the subject of debate, it is clear that patients with demonstrated 
coagulopathy after TBI have a significantly increased rate of ICH progression compared to those without 
coagulopathy.24 Since progression of ICH is independently associated with increased need for surgical 
intervention, decreased long-term neurologic outcome, and a 5-fold increase in mortality,21 an early intervention 
that could decrease the development of progressive ICH could theoretically have a major impact on patient 
outcome. 
 
3.1.3 Secondary traumatic brain injury – inflammation and development of cerebral edema 
The development of cerebral edema is another important type of secondary brain injury. It is clear that the 
formation of cerebral edema is a major factor leading to the high morbidity and mortality in patients with TBI.25  
No new treatments have been developed in recent years that are effective at reducing cerebral edema, in part 
because the mechanism is only recently becoming better understood. Cerebral edema occurs by the addition 
of water from the vasculature (vasogenic edema), whereas cytotoxic edema results from a shift of water from 
the extracellular to the intracellular compartment. Thus, the primary focus of research involving cerebral edema 
is directed toward attenuating the permeability of the blood brain barrier. It is well established that systemic 
inflammation is common after major trauma and TBI. It is becoming increasingly recognized that multiple 
classes of inflammatory mediators can lead to increased permeability of the blood brain barrier and the 
development of cerebral edema.26 In a frontal cortex contusion model, a marked inflammatory reaction was 
observed after injury in both the injured region and surrounding areas of the brain.27 This model also 
demonstrated an invasion of macrophages and neutrophils into the area of impact with increased inflammatory 
cytokine generation.27 With the aid of novel magnetic resonance imaging techniques, vasogenic edema has 
been shown to occur within a few hours after injury. 28 Thus, the development of a neuroprotective agent that 
could be given very early after injury, before edema develops, could have a major impact on morbidity and 
mortality in patients with TBI. 
 


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3.2 Overview of Hemostasis 
Hemostasis requires a balance between the coagulation cascade responsible for producing fibrin clot and the 
fibrinolytic system that dissolves fibrin clot. At sites of tissue injury, activation of the coagulation cascade 
results in thrombin formation, which cleaves fibrinogen to fibrin monomers. These monomers polymerize to 
form fibrin that seals the damaged vessel wall. This deposition of fibrin then activates the fibrinolytic system to 
help maintain the patency of the vessel lumen. Fibrinolysis occurs when plasminogen, which is trapped within 
the clot, binds to lysine residues on the surface of the fibrin. When a plasminogen activator is present (like 
tissue plasminogen activator [tPA]), plasminogen is converted to plasmin, which then degrades fibrin into 
fragments that are further broken down and removed from circulation. Fibrinolysis is regulated by plasminogen 
activators (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitors (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1]), and plasmin 
inhibitors (α-2 antiplasmin), and is affected by the rapid hepatic clearance of these molecules. Excessive 
breakdown of fibrin (hyperfibrinolysis) results in excessive bleeding and has been associated with a wide 
variety of conditions ranging from perioperative blood loss to subarachnoid hemorrhage.29 Hyperfibrinolysis 
has been associated with significantly increased mortality after major trauma.30 Antifibrinolytics such as TXA 
and aminocaproic acid can inhibit hyperfibrinolysis by interfering with plasmin production, thus stabilizing the 
fibrin clot. 
  
3.3 TXA 
3.3.1 FDA indications for TXA 
In January 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the injection formulation of TXA (NDA 
019281, branded Cyklokapron) in patients with hemophilia for short-term use (two to eight days) to reduce or 
prevent hemorrhage and reduce the need for replacement therapy during and following tooth extraction, with a 
revised label warning to include convulsions (and no change to the indications). The FDA has approved TXA 
injection as a therapeutically equivalent generic drug that is available from X Gen Pharmaceuticals Inc (NDC 
39822-1000-1). Because of the planned off-label use of the drug as a bolus dose and 8-hour maintenance 
infusion for TBI in a prehospital federally funded trial using exception from informed consent for emergency 
research, the drug will require Investigational New Drug exemption in accordance with federal regulations.  
 
 
3.3.2 Previous use of TXA 
Clinical use of TXA was first described in 1966.31 TXA is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine that 
acts by competitively inhibiting plasminogen activation and at higher concentrations, noncompetitively inhibiting 
plasmin.32 TXA binding blocks the interaction of plasminogen with fibrin preventing breakdown of fibrin clot. 
Thus, rather than promoting new clot formation, it prevents clot breakdown. While plasminogen may still be 
converted to plasmin in the presence of a plasminogen activator, after binding TXA, plasmin can no longer bind 
fibrin.32 TXA also blocks the binding of α-2 antiplasmin to plasmin and thus prevents its inactivation of 
plasmin.32 The use of TXA to control bleeding has been described in a number of clinical settings including, 
pediatric urinary tract surgery,33 ruptured intracranial aneurysms,34 oral surgery,35 gynecologic surgery,36 
treatment of hereditary angioneurotic edema,37 upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage,38 traumatic hyphema,39 
hemophilia,40 von Willebrand disease, and refractory thrombocytopenia.41 More recently, TXA has been 
adopted to treat hyperfibrinolysis associated with cardiopulmonary bypass and liver transplantation and has 
been shown to decrease both blood loss and need for transfusion.42 
 
The use of TXA in patients with neurological disease including subarachnoid hemorrhage dates back to the 
1980’s.43 Intracranial aneurysm rupture results in bleeding into the subarachnoid space and subsequent brain 
damage due to destruction of brain parenchyma, increased intracranial pressure, mid-line shift and ultimate 
herniation. Of patients that survive, 20% develop re-bleeding with delayed ischemic deficits.44,45 In a 
randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in 478 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid 
hemorrhage, a significant reduction in the rate of re-bleeding was demonstrated (9% TXA versus 24% 
placebo), however overall outcome was not improved due to an increase in the incidence of cerebral 


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ischemia.43 Due to the lack of effect on mortality, the use of TXA was not recommended in this population.46 
However, in a later study using lower doses of TXA in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, 
TXA was again observed to decrease acute re-bleeding, with no increase in ischemic complications.47 One 
important difference in studies that have demonstrated increased cerebral ischemic events is the use of 
prolonged dosing regimens (3-4 times per day for 2-8 days), similar to its use in hemophilia. The more recent 
large studies that demonstrate no increase in cerebral ischemia have utilized a shorter duration, similar to the 
dosing proposed in this study. 48 
 
The FDA approved label for tranexamic acid (TXA) contraindicates the use of the drug in patients with 
subarachnoid hemorrhage noting that cerebral edema and cerebral infarction may even be caused by TXA in 
such patients.  In this study TXA will be administered to patients during the prehospital intervention phase and 
prior to obtaining any brain imaging results.  Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is known to occur commonly in 
patients with traumatic brain injury, including those with penetrating injuries. Early studies examining the use of 
TXA in SAH that used higher doses and longer duration of administration initially raised the concern that there 
may also be an increase in cerebral ischemia. In more recent studies that have used lower doses of TXA 
(similar to our trial), a significant decrease in the rate of rebleeding continues to be observed with no increase 
in cerebral ischemic events and improved long-term outcome. In a randomized trial including over 500 patients 
who received 1 gm TXA IV followed by 1 gm q 6 hours until the aneurysm was occluded, there was no 
evidence of a higher risk of ischemia.49 Other smaller studies support this finding. A recent Cochrane review 
published in August 2013 examined this issue and while they concluded that the evidence does not support the 
use of antifibrinolytic drugs in the treatment of people with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, this meta-
analysis demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity (including combining higher dosing regimens with lower 
dosing regimens, prolonged drug administration with short term administration, and older studies with newer 
studies using neuroprotection).50 When subgroup analyses were performed specifically focusing on studies 
using superior methods to confirm ischemia (CT or autopsy), studies incorporating a placebo arm, and those 
utilizing neuroprotection, no significant differences were observed. Antifibrinolytic therapy had no effect on the 
rate of hydrocephalus. Thus, the Cochrane reviewers concluded that results of short-term treatment (as in our 
protocol) are promising and further randomized trials evaluating short-term antifibrinolytic treatment are 
needed.  
 
 
3.3.3 Military and civilian experience with TXA and trauma 
The Military Application of Tranexamic Acid in Trauma Emergency Resuscitation Study (MATTERs) was an 
observational study of 896 patients admitted to a Role 3 United Kingdom (UK) combat support hospital in 
Afghanistan between 2009-2010 who received at least 1 unit of packed red blood cells (PRBC) within 24 hours 
of admission.51 In this prospective cohort, 293 patients non-randomly received TXA. The TXA group had 
significantly lower mortality (17.4% versus 23.9%) despite being more severely injured. While a clear benefit 
was observed in patients who received a massive transfusion, the TXA group had a greater degree of blast 
injury and lower Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) on admission. Furthermore, the mortality difference was 
not apparent until 48 hours after admission, suggesting that a mechanistic benefit exclusive of its effects on 
coagulation may exist. Since this was an observational study, no blood was available for examination of the 
mechanism involved. Nonetheless, the results of this study were compelling and resulted in a change in the 
use of TXA in the UK and US. The US Joint Theater Trauma System Clinical Practice Guideline for Damage 
Control Resuscitation in deployed surgical hospitals now recommends that administration of TXA “as soon as 
possible after injury (but ideally not later than 3 hours post injury) should be strongly considered for any patient 
requiring blood products in the treatment of combat-related hemorrhage.”52 
 
The safety and efficacy of using TXA in trauma patients was recently studied in a large placebo-controlled trial 
of 20,211 trauma patients in 40 countries called “The Clinical Randomization of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant 
Hemorrhage” (CRASH-2). 53 Patients were considered eligible if they were within 8 hours of injury and had a 
(SBP) < 90 mmHg and/or heart rate > 110 beats per minute, or were considered to be at risk for significant 
hemorrhage. The ultimate decision to enroll eligible patients was based upon the uncertainty principle, 


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meaning that the physician had to be substantially uncertain about whether or not the patient would benefit 
from TXA to enroll them. Patients were randomized to either 1 gram TXA loading dose over 10 minutes 
followed by 1 gram TXA over 8 hours, or placebo. The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital death 
within 4 weeks of injury. The secondary outcomes were vascular occlusive events, transfusions, and surgical 
interventions.  The treatment and placebo groups were well matched. The all-cause mortality rate was 
significantly reduced in the TXA group compared to the placebo group (14.5% versus 16%). Interestingly, there 
was no difference in the number of blood products transfused between groups, calling into question the 
underlying mechanism for the observed benefit and raising the question as to which patient population 
benefitted from TXA. Because of the broad trauma patient population in CRASH-2, several pre-specified 
analyses of the data have been performed. In one post-hoc analysis of the CRASH-2 trial data, the association 
between time of administration of TXA and death due to bleeding as an end-point (as opposed to all-cause 
mortality) was evaluated.54 In this analysis, the authors demonstrated that death due to bleeding was 
dependent on the time from injury to treatment. When TXA was administered immediately after injury the 
relative risk (RR) of death due to bleeding was 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-0.74) and progressively 
increased the later the drug was given. Patients who received TXA within one hour of injury had a 13% lower 
all-cause mortality (95% CI 0-25%) than those treated with placebo. When treatment was given beyond 3 
hours from injury, however, the RR of death increased to 1.44 (95% CI 1.12-1.84) demonstrating a harmful 
effect. While these data clearly suggest that TXA should be given early after injury, the reason for the 
increased mortality at later time points remains unclear. 
 
The results from CRASH-2 raised the possibility that TXA may also be effective in TBI. CRASH-2 did not 
exclude patients with TBI, however they did not report detailed outcomes for this cohort. To further examine 
the use of TXA in TBI, the investigators presented the results on a cohort of 270 patients with TBI (defined as 
brain CT compatible with TBI and GCS ≤ 14) who were enrolled in CRASH-2. The study was prospective with 
detailed CT data and pre-specified outcomes.48 The primary outcome of the study was growth of the ICH, 
measured using CT at hospital admission and 24-48 hours later. Secondary outcomes were death from any 
cause, dependency (measured using the 5-point Modified Oxford Handicap Scale, dichotomized into dead or 
dependent versus independent) the need for neurosurgical intervention, and the appearance of new focal 
cerebral ischemic lesions on follow-up CT.53,55 In this analysis, the mean total hemorrhage volume growth was 
reduced from 8.1 ml in the placebo group to 5.9 ml in the TXA group. Equally important, however, was the 
finding that patients in the TXA group developed fewer new focal cerebral ischemic lesions than in the placebo 
group (4.9 versus 9.5%) and fewer patients died in the TXA group than in the placebo group (10.5 versus 
17.5%). Since none of these results were statistically significant, however, the authors concluded that neither 
moderate benefit nor moderate harm of TXA in TBI could be excluded.  
 
A second randomized controlled trial in patients with isolated TBI demonstrated similar trends. This trial was 
conducted in 240 patients with moderate to severe TBI who had a head CT with no immediate indication for 
surgery within 8 hours of injury.56  Subjects were randomized to a 2 gram TXA bolus or placebo. The primary 
outcome was progressive ICH on repeat CT scan which was defined as greater than 25% increase in any 
dimension or the presence of a new hemorrhage. Progressive ICH was present in 14% of patients receiving 
TXA and 25% of patients receiving placebo. This trial also found reductions in ICH growth (RR=0.6; 95% CI 
0.34-1.32) with TXA but did not collect data on ischemic lesions. The RR of death from all causes was 0.67 
(0.34-1.32) in patients allocated to TXA compared to placebo, and no evidence of increased thromboembolic 
adverse events was observed in the TXA group. Due to the lack of significance, the authors concluded that 
further clinical trials are needed to assess the effect of TXA on death and disability in patients with TBI. A 
meta-analysis of these two trials demonstrated significant reduction in both hemorrhage growth (RR=0.72; 
95% CI 0.55 to 0.94) and mortality (RR=0.63; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.99) with the use of TXA.57 
 
3.3.4 CRASH-3 trial  
Based on the promising results from the two previous trials of TXA in TBI, the Tranexamic Acid for the 
Treatment of Significant Traumatic Brain Injury trial (CRASH-3) was designed to provide evidence concerning 
the effect of TXA on mortality and disability in patients with TBI.57 The CRASH-3 trial is an international, 


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multicenter randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. To be eligible for this study, patients must be 
within 8 hours of injury and have evidence of an ICH on CT scan or a GCS ≤12, with no evidence of significant 
extracranial bleeding. The primary outcome is in-hospital death within 28 days.57 This trial is currently 
underway but as in CRASH-2, will again utilize the uncertainty principle, such that patients will only be enrolled 
when the physician is substantially uncertain if TXA is indicated to treat the TBI. Furthermore, the investigators 
are allowing subjects to be enrolled up to 8 hours after injury and they do not plan to study the mechanisms by 
which TXA affects outcome after TBI. 
 
3.3.5 Potential mechanisms of TXA 
No studies have examined the mechanism of TXA in patients with TBI. CRASH-2 was a phase III study that 
was not preceded by a phase II study to evaluate the mechanism by which subjects may have benefitted from 
the drug.53 No blood was collected and the effect of TXA using coagulation or fibrinolytic assays was not 
evaluated. Since there was no difference in the transfusion requirements between the TXA and the placebo 
groups, the mechanism leading to the mortality benefit in this trial remains in question. In the MATTERs study, 
TXA use was associated with significantly lower mortality; however, the mortality difference was not apparent 
until 48 hours after admission suggesting an alternate mechanism instead of a coagulation effect may be 
dominant.51 In this trial, as in CRASH-2, there was no assessment of fibrinolysis or the effect of treatment on 
fibrinolysis.  
 
Several potential mechanisms may be responsible for the lower mortality and reduction in ICH growth 
observed in previous studies. Increased fibrinolysis, as measured by elevated fibrinogen degradation products 
and D-dimers, is a common finding in the coagulopathy associated with TBI,58 thus raising the possibility that 
TXA may exert an effect by limiting progression of ICH through its antifibrinolytic activity. Another mechanistic 
explanation is that TXA may act by reducing the neurotoxic or proinflammatory effects of plasmin, independent 
of its effect on hemostasis.59  Tissue plasminogen activator has been shown to be important in the 
development of cerebral edema in the injured brain, presumably by activating plasminogen to plasmin.60,61,62 
By blocking the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, TXA may potentially counteract the effect of tPA 
resulting in decreased cerebral edema. A third potential mechanism is related to the interaction between the 
inflammatory and coagulation systems. Hyperfibrinolysis has been associated with inflammatory states and the 
generation of proinflammatory cytokines.63 By preventing hyperfibrinolysis, TXA may lead to decreased 
expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Several recent studies have demonstrated that TXA decreases 
inflammation in cardiac surgery,64,65 however, the pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of TXA have not yet been 
investigated in trauma patients with TBI. 
 
3.3.6 Limitations of existing evidence: 
There are several limitations of the currently available evidence that underscore the need for additional well-
designed trials in clearly defined patient populations. First, there is limited applicability of the currently available 
evidence for countries with well-developed trauma systems. Almost all of the patients enrolled in CRASH-2 
were from low and middle-income countries. In these countries transfusion protocols utilizing blood component 
therapy are rarely available. Furthermore, a majority of these countries lack the well-developed trauma 
systems with advanced prehospital care that is available in the United States. Trauma system improvements, 
including advanced prehospital care and rapid access to surgical intervention, have significantly improved both 
functional recovery and survival after injury in developed countries. This difference in resources between 
under-developed and developed trauma systems also limits the applicability of the safety analysis in CRASH-2. 
While no apparent increase in vascular occlusive events in patients treated with TXA compared to placebo was 
observed, it is possible that pro-thrombotic risks not identified in CRASH-2 might be demonstrated in the 
United States given the increased use of plasma and platelets. Furthermore, screening protocols for these 
events are utilized more frequently in the United States than they were in the CRASH-2 sites. Additionally, the 
trial design utilizing the uncertainty principle employed in CRASH-2 (and currently being utilized in the CRASH-
3 trial) resulted in an ill-defined patient population, further limiting the generalizability and reproducibility of the 
results. Thus, it still remains unclear exactly which patient populations should receive TXA. Finally, the 


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mechanism of TXA in patients with TBI remains unknown since neither the CRASH-2 trial or the MATTERs 
study performed mechanism related laboratory assays. This knowledge is critical to better understand the 
effect of TXA on coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation in order to interpret the results of this trial. This 
information will be used to direct future studies to evaluate drugs that target pathways not affected by TXA and 
to provide important information related to differences that may be observed between this trial and CRASH-2. 
Despite these limitations, the currently available data for the use of TXA in injured patients is compelling and 
mandates well designed large randomized clinical trials in injured patients to further define the risks and 
benefits of TXA in both shock and TBI. 
 
4. Trial Design 
4.1 Setting 
4.1.1 Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium 
The ROC is a research network of North American Emergency Medical Systems and level one trauma centers 
(10 regional clinical centers and 7 satellite centers)66 and a single data coordinating center (DCC).  Since its 
inception in 2004, ROC has provided infrastructure and project support for clinical trials and outcome-oriented 
research in the areas of cardiopulmonary arrest and severe traumatic injury. ROC has been able to leverage 
the vast collective resources of its member institutions and promote the rapid translation of scientific advances 
for public good. The proposed randomized clinical trial reflects the growth and extension of ROC's successful 
trauma research program from prehospital resuscitation interventions to interventions within the hospital 
environment. This trial will use the ROC infrastructure to implement the protocol as well as to provide additional 
funding.  
 
4.1.2 ROC site selection  
8 sites have committed to participate in this study based on the following criteria:  
 
Site requirements: 
• 
Emergency medical services (EMS) agency commitment to administer study drug 
• 
24/7 research coordinator for bedside data collection, blood draw, and notification of study enrollment 
and consent for continued participation  
• 
Ability to obtain head CT scan as soon as possible after arrival and repeat head CT scan within 24 
hours  
• 
24/7 capability of performing TEG 
• 
24/7 neurosurgical capability  
• 
anticipated enrollment of ≥10 patients per month based on past experience 
 
A minimum of 10 level one trauma hospitals within the ROC network of regional and satellite clinical sites will 
participate based on high enrolling performance in previous ROC trauma studies and completeness of site 
materials needed for application submission. The sites are as follows: 
 
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 
Dallas, TX; University of Washington Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA; Oregon Health & Science 
University, Portland, OR; St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, CAN; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; 
University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 
 


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4.2 Methods and Techniques 
4.2.1 Objectives 
This will be a phase II multi-site, randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and 
safety of TXA administered in the prehospital setting in subjects with moderate to severe blunt and penetrating 
TBI (GCS ≤12) who are not in shock (SBP ≥ 90 mmHg). The primary outcome will be the proportion of subjects 
with a favorable neurologic outcome (defined as a GOS-E > 4) six months after injury.   The secondary 
outcomes will be volume of ICH progression, proportion of subjects with ICH progression, frequency of 
neurosurgical interventions, GOS-E measured at discharge, DRS measured at discharge and six months, 28-
day survival, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days. Safety will be assessed by evaluating the 
proportion of subjects experiencing cerebral ischemic events, MI, DVT, PE, and seizures measured from 
randomization through 28 days or discharge, whichever occurs first. Mechanistic endpoints including 
coagulation and fibrinolytic profiles will be examined to comprehensively characterize coagulation and provide 
insight into dynamic changes and their relationship to treatment and outcome. Additional blood will be collected 
and stored for future analysis of inflammatory markers. 
 
4.3 Inclusion Criteria 
Subjects must meet ALL of the following: 
1. Blunt or penetrating traumatic mechanism consistent with traumatic brain injury 
2. Prehospital GCS score ≤ 12 at any time prior to randomization and administration of sedative and/or 
paralytic agents 
3. Prehospital SBP ≥ 90 mmHg prior to randomization 
(SBP < 90 mmHg has been used as the entry criteria for nearly all major investigations studying the 
treatment of shock.67,68,69,70 Furthermore, prehospital hypotension has been associated with a dramatic 
increase in morbidity and mortality following severe TBI including a two-fold increase in the incidence of 
severe disability and death.71) 
4. Prehospital intravenous (IV) access 
5. Estimated Age ≥ 15 (or estimated weight > 50 kg if age is unknown) 
(Enrollment will be restricted to age ≥15 years or > 50 kg if age is unknown as these adolescents are of 
appropriate size to receive the full dose of TXA). 
6. EMS transport destination based on standard local practices determined to be a participating trauma 
center  
(Patients who are temporarily stabilized at an outside facility and transported to a participating center 
will be considered ‘modified scene patients’ and will remain eligible if all other inclusion and exclusion 
criteria are met). 
 
4.4 Exclusion Criteria 
Subjects are ineligible if they meet any of the following: 
1. Prehospital GCS=3 with no reactive pupil 
2. Estimated time from injury to start of study drug bolus dose > 2 hours 
3. Unknown time of injury - no known reference times to support estimation   
 (In the CRASH-2 trial when treatment was given beyond 3 hours from injury the RR of death increased 
to 1.44 (95% CI 1.12-1.84) demonstrating a harmful effect.) 
4. Clinical suspicion by EMS of seizure activity, acute MI or stroke, or known history, to the extent 
possible, of seizures, thromboembolic disorders or renal dialysis 
5. CPR by EMS prior to randomization 
6. Burns > 20% total body surface area (TBSA) 
7. Suspected or known prisoners (Defined as any individual involuntarily confined or detained in a penal 
institution or any individual in police custody who must have a police escort at all times and excluded 
due to their vulnerable population status.) 


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8. Suspected or known pregnancy – (Since there are no well controlled studies in pregnancy, women who 
are either known or suspected to be pregnant will be excluded. However, data regarding the use of 
TXA in pregnant women are available demonstrating no thrombogenic effects of TXA in a retrospective 
analysis of 256 women with bleeding disorders in pregnancy.72 No mutagenic activity of TXA has been 
shown in vitro or in vivo test systems73,74 and no fetal abnormalities were identified in early 
dysmorphology and reproductive studies in animals.75,76 ) 
9. Prehospital TXA or other pro-coagulant drug given prior to randomization 
10. Subjects who have activated the “opt-out” process when required by the local regulatory board. 
 
5. Intervention 
5.1 Screening Procedures 
Screening will be conducted in the prehospital setting by the initial EMS responder. Prehospital trauma life 
support interventions focusing on airway, breathing and circulation will be performed and an initial GCS score 
will be assessed by EMS to determine eligibility. The patient will be considered eligible if the initial GCS is ≤ 12 
and the SBP has remained ≥ 90 mmHg prior to randomization, and other inclusion/exclusion criteria are met. If 
the GCS improves to greater than 12 prior to randomization, the patient will not be randomized. If the initial 
GCS is > 12 and during transport declines to ≤ 12 prior to administration of sedating and/or paralytic 
medication, the patient will become eligible if the SBP has remained ≥ 90 mmHg prior to randomization. If the 
SBP drops below 90 mmHg between randomization and administration of study drug or anytime thereafter, the 
patient will remain in the study and continue to receive the study drug. 
 
5.2 Study Procedures 
5.2.1 Randomization  
Eligible patients will be randomly allocated in a proportion of 1:1:1 bolus/maintenance arm, bolus only arm, and 
placebo. Randomization assignments will be generated by the ROC DCC. To attempt balance by site, 
permuted blocks of varying concealed size will be used. Nevertheless, location of the episode and availability 
of providers determine which agency responds to the episode and the order in which the containers are used 
cannot be determined a priori. As a result, the randomization will represent a complete randomization rather 
than a permuted block randomization. 
 
5.2.2 Prehospital intervention 
Participating EMS vehicles will carry pre-randomized, sealed, numbered containers of study drug. After 
confirming the patient meets criteria for entry into the study, participating EMS providers will open the study 
drug kit on their vehicle. Patients are considered randomized if a study drug kit seal is broken in the presence 
of the patient based on the above screening criteria even if the drug is not administered. EMS providers will be 
instructed to obtain intravenous (IV) access prior to opening the study drug kit. Vascular access and fluid 
administration will be per standard protocol by the EMS agency. EMS will mix the drug and administer the 
bolus infusion as soon as life-saving interventions are performed. If IV medication in addition to TXA is required 
and only one IV access line is available, EMS will be instructed to clamp the IV tubing, flush the line with 10 ml 
saline, give the emergency drug IV push, flush the line again with 10 ml saline, and resume the TXA infusion. If 
the bolus infusion is stopped for reasons other than a protocol violation or a serious adverse event that may be 
associated with TXA, it is to be restarted and completed within 3 hours of the estimated time of injury either 
prior to ED arrival or after ED arrival and the in-hospital study drug infusion will be given. If it is anticipated that 
the bolus infusion cannot be completed within 3 hours of the estimated time of injury then it will not be resumed 
and the in-hospital study drug infusion will not be given. 
 


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After randomization, EMS will provide the kit ID# to research personnel upon arrival in the receiving ED. The 
research personnel will contact the study coordinating center and, using the kit ID#, obtain the unique code ID 
for the blinded study drug vial that matches the randomization assignment for the appropriate hospital infusion 
administration.  In the rare case that the patient is brought to a non-participating facility, all study interventions 
will stop, the patient or patient’s family member or legally authorized representative (LAR) will be informed that 
they were enrolled in the study and asked to give permission to obtain their medical information so they may 
be followed for primary and safety endpoints.  In order to avoid this event, patients will only be eligible for this 
study if a determination is made that their destination is a participating hospital.  This determination is made 
independent of the study and is based on standard local practices.  Therefore, enrollment in the study will not 
delay transport to the participating hospital with the exception of any delay related to administering the drug. 
 
 
5.2.3 In-hospital intervention 
Research personnel will be responsible for obtaining the unique code identifier (ID) for the in-hospital blinded 
study drug vial that matches the prehospital study drug kit ID# randomization assignment by contacting the 
ROC Data Coordinating Center (DCC) by automated web based or phone system. The vial labeled with this 
unique code ID will be used to prepare the maintenance infusion appropriate for the randomization assignment 
of either 1 gm TXA 8 hour infusion or placebo 8 hour infusion. The maintenance infusion will be administered 
as soon as possible after arrival. If the infusion is not begun within 3 hours of hospital arrival or 3 hours from 
completion of the prehospital infusion, it will not be given, based on data suggesting increased complications 
with delayed infusions. If the prehospital bolus infusion is not complete by the time the patient arrives to the 
hospital, it will be allowed to completely infuse and the maintenance infusion will be hung after completion of 
the bolus infusion. The subject will continue to receive the study drug as assigned until: (1) the study drug has 
completed the infusion, (2) the subject is demonstrated to have a serum creatinine >2.0 mg/dL at any time 
during study drug infusion, (3) the subject has died, (4) the patient, patient’s family member or legally 
authorized representative (LAR) withdraws from the trial, (5) the subject is determined to be pregnant or a 
prisoner, or (6) the subject develops a thrombotic event (MI, PE, ischemic stroke, or symptomatic DVT) or 
seizure activity. If the patient is considered to be in hemorrhagic shock and the primary treatment team 
determines TXA should be administered as part of a massive transfusion protocol or based on local standard 
of care, emergency unblinding of the treatment arm will be immediately available to the hospital physician.  All 
additional hemostatic agents and blood products will continue to be administered based on the discretion of the 
individual provider and according to local standard of care and will be recorded. Patients who develop 
hemorrhagic shock after randomization will continue to receive local standard of care treatment. If the 
treatment team is treating the patient for hemorrhagic shock and local standard of care includes administration 
of TXA, emergency unblinding will be required. The hospital physician will contact the ROC DCC’s automated 
unblinding web base or phone system to obtain the field treatment arm if there is a need for rapid emergency 
unblinding. This will also automatically notify staff at the ROC DCC and the site research personnel via email of 
the emergency unblinding.  The decision to administer additional TXA based on the patient’s randomized 
treatment arm will be based on clinician judgment. 
 
5.2.4 Treatment arms 
There will be three treatment arms. The prehospital container for each treatment arm, also known as the study 
drug kit, will house the blinded study drug vial along with a label for a 250 mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride for 
the bolus dose and labels for the IV tubing to flag the patient as enrolled in the TXA for TBI study. An EMS 
vehicle will carry the study drug kit as a part of their stock supplies. Each kit will be assigned and labeled with a 
randomization number, which EMS will communicate to the hospital-based research personnel, who then 
initiates the steps necessary to prepare the hospital infusion for administration.  
 


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5.2.5 Drug manufacture and supply 
The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for the trial drug Tranexamic Acid Injection will be purchased from 
CUSTOPharm Inc. CUSTOPharm recently contracted with X Gen Pharmaceuticals Inc. for shared ownership 
of the API license. (see Appendix 4 for TXA Monograph) TXA Injection is a colorless solution packaged in a 
glass vial and manufactured by Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC in accordance with Good Manufacturing 
Practices (GMP). Exela will also manufacture the injectable placebo solution (sodium chloride 0.9%) in the 
same type of glass vial in accordance with GMP. The TXA and placebo vials, being identical in appearance, 
will be shipped separately in bulk to Almac Clinical Services. Almac will assemble the blinded study vials into 
custom study kits for the prehospital dose and in multiple mixed vial containers for the in-hospital dose, 
distribute them to the clinical sites and be responsible for maintaining the Product Specification File until final 
database lock and unblinding of the trial data.   
 
5.2.6 Blinding 
All providers will be blinded to the intervention assignment in a double blind manner. At no point will EMS or 
hospital providers be able to distinguish the treatment group unless emergency unblinding is required as 
described in section 5.2.3. Adherence to the treatment protocol will be carefully monitored and protocol 
deviations will be identified through the data collected or reported to the ROC DCC by study coordinators. The 
blinding process will involve labeling the prehospital study kits with randomization numbers that will be used as 
the package identification and labeling the in-hospital dose vials with unique code identifiers that can be 
matched to the study kit randomization numbers.  
 
5.2.7 Justification for dose selection 
The dose selection for the study drug is as follows: 
• Bolus/maintenance arm: 1 gram IV TXA in 250 mL administered wide open followed by a 1 gram 
maintenance IV TXA infusion over 8 hours (weight based equivalent: 50 kg person – bolus 20 mg/kg, 
maintenance 2.5 mg/kg/h; 75 kg person – bolus 13.3 mg/kg, maintenance 1.7 mg/kg/h; 100 kg person – 
bolus 10 mg/kg, maintenance 1.25 mg/kg/h) 
• Bolus only arm: 2 grams IV TXA in 250 mL administered wide open followed by a maintenance placebo 
infusion over 8 hours (weight based equivalent: 50 kg person – bolus 40 mg/kg; 75 kg person – 26.7 mg/kg 
bolus; 100 kg person – bolus 20 mg/kg) 
 
The doses of TXA to be used in this study are based on studies of TXA in previous trauma trials including the 
CRASH-2 trial of TXA in trauma patients with significant hemorrhage as well studies performed in surgical 
patients. Loading doses in these studies have ranged from 2.5 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg with maintenance doses 
ranging from 0.25 mg/kg/h to 4mg/kg/h over 1-12h.42 Studies evaluating different dosing regimens of TXA on 
bleeding and transfusions have demonstrated no significant difference between the higher and lower doses. In 
cardiac surgical patients, a 10 mg/kg loading dose of TXA followed by an infusion of 1 mg/kg/h resulted in 
plasma concentrations sufficient to inhibit fibrinolysis, with no additional hemostatic benefit afforded by higher 
doses.77,78 In the CRASH-2 trial, there was no difference in the rate of vascular occlusive events (1.7% TXA 
versus 2.0% placebo) and no reported adverse events. In a study of patients with isolated TBI, a single 2 gram 
dose decreased ICH progression with no adverse events.  
 
The dosing regimens in this proposal were chosen for the following reasons: 
1. A fixed dose is most feasible in a prehospital study. 
2. A single bolus dose without a maintenance infusion would be preferred for military application. 
3. The adjusted per kilo doses for both interventional arms are in the range shown to inhibit fibrinolysis and 
provide a potential benefit in larger patients (>100 kg), yet have been shown to be safe without adverse 
effects in smaller patients (<50 kg). 
 
Justification for using standard dosing in subjects with potential renal insufficiency: TXA is eliminated through 
renal excretion and thus, there is the potential risk of accumulation in patients with renal impairment; however, 


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the dosing regimen in both interventional arms of this trial involve either a low dose followed by a short course 
of TXA, or placebo, such that accumulation is expected to be minimal in either arm. For this study, if a history 
of renal dialysis is known by EMS prior to randomization, the patient will be excluded. If randomization has 
occurred and the patient’s hospital serum creatinine is greater than 2 mg/dL at any time prior to or during the 
study drug infusion, the study drug infusion will be terminated.  
 
Justification for use in subjects with potential hepatic impairment: Only a very small proportion of TXA is 
metabolized by the liver, thus there is no need for dose adjustment in hepatic impairment and 
pharmacodynamic interactions with other drugs should be minimal. 
 
Justification for use in subjects with subclinical seizure activity not evident to EMS or care providers: 
In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, high doses of TXA have been associated with seizures;79 however, in 
the CRASH-2 trial there were no reports of serious unexpected adverse events involving seizures in 20,211 
trauma patients using similar doses proposed in this trial. In one retrospective review in patients who had 
undergone pulmonary endarterectomy with hypothermia, an increase in seizure activity compared to aprotinin 
was observed in patients without structural brain lesions (7 versus 0, p=0.02); however, the doses given were 
significantly higher than the doses to be administered in this trial.80 For this study, observed seizure activity or 
a history of seizure activity will exclude the patient prior to randomization or, if randomization has occurred, 
cause administration of the study drug dose in the field or hospital to be stopped. 
 
5.3 Baseline Assessment 
The baseline data, including demographics, injury mechanism, prehospital and ED hemodynamic variables, 
time to definitive care, mode of transport, presence of TBI, and fluids and blood products administered within 
the first 24 hours after injury will be obtained by the research coordinator as soon as feasible.  
 
5.4 Clinical Data Collection 
Because patient enrollment will occur at the scene of injury, there is no opportunity for baseline assessment of 
the patient by the clinical research coordinator; however, the ROC has an established infrastructure to facilitate 
obtaining all prehospital records including accurate time data from computer aided dispatch reports for all 
patients. Upon arrival to the hospital, a research coordinator will be available 24/7 at all sites. Direct bedside 
data collection will begin when the subject arrives in the ED and will continue until the patient receives the 
initial head CT scan and the hospital infusion is begun or for one hour, whichever occurs later. The time of 
arrival and time of initial head CT scan will be documented. GCS will be documented at these same time 
points. Data to be collected during this time period will include all fluid administered including hypertonic saline, 
all pharmacologic interventions including mannitol, all blood product transfusions, any procoagulant 
medications administered, history of current use of anticoagulant medications, life-saving interventions 
including intubation, initial clinical laboratory results, and surgical/neurosurgical procedures.  
 
Data will be collected on a daily basis for the first 28 days of hospitalization or until discharge/death on all 
subjects who did not choose to discontinue further participation in the trial. Information collected will include 
demographics, injury scoring data, blood product transfusions, hemostatic medication administration, timing 
and dosing of DVT prophylaxis, GCS, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, neurosurgical 
interventions (including intracranial pressure monitor placement, brain tissue oxygen monitor placement, 
microdialysis catheter placement, ventriculostomy, and decompressive craniotomy/craniectomy), timing of 
clinically indicated repeat head CT scan (including GCS at the time of repeat CT), other surgical procedures, 
vital signs, and routine daily lab results. In those institutions where CT is repeated in all patients with 
intracranial bleeding by protocol, the 2nd CT will be performed 6 hours after the first.  Complications recorded 
will include the following: thromboembolic complications (stroke, DVT, PE, MI) including results of 
thromboembolic screening procedures (including MRI, duplex ultrasound, PE protocol CT scans, 
electrocardiograms [EKGs]), results of electroencephalograms (EEG) evaluating seizures, results of 
transcranial doppler evaluating vasospasm, multiple organ failure (Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score), acute 


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respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS - based on the Berlin definition), transfusion related ARDS, acute kidney 
injury, diabetes insipidus,  hyper- and hyponatremia, infections, and sepsis. A pre-specified list of clinically 
indicated available lab results will be recorded and commonly include blood alcohol level, complete blood 
count (CBC) with platelets, electrolyte panel, coagulation tests (aPTT/ INR), fibrinogen, troponin, lactate, 
arterial and venous blood gas, and urinalysis. In addition to the information collected daily, the final discharge 
diagnosis, and discharge destination (home, long-term acute care hospital, skilled facility, death) will be 
recorded. A discharge GOS-E and DRS as well as a Neurologic Assessment: Symptoms and Signs Present 
will be obtained at the time the subject is discharged from the hospital. A 6-month GOS-E and DRS as well as 
a Neurologic Assessment: Symptoms and Signs Present will be obtained at 6 months after injury. 
(See Appendix 3 GOS, GOSE,  DRS and Neurological Assessment: Symptoms and Signs Present) 
 
5.5 Research Laboratory Data Collection 
Blood samples will be collected during the first 48 hours after admission from all subjects who have not 
withdrawn participation in the trial. Blood samples will be collected upon arrival in the ED (time 0) for all 
enrolled/randomized subjects and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours (or discharge from hospital – whichever occurs 
first). Studies to be performed at these time points include measures of fibrinolytic pathway activity. Kaolin 
activated TEG will also be performed on citrated blood samples at these time points for functional analysis of 
coagulation. Available data from these studies will be for research use only and will not be available for clinical 
decision making. In addition to the studies listed above, blood will be collected and stored at the same time 
points for inflammatory marker analysis for which additional funding will be sought. Blood will be stored for 
future testing only related to TBI, intracranial hemorrhage, fibrinolytic pathway mediators and other coagulation 
factors. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such that the patient’s identity 
will not be able to be ascertained. We chose these 5 time points to provide a broad temporal survey of 
coagulation changes after TBI weighted toward early sampling to fully characterize the early phase of 
coagulopathy. Later sampling at 24 and 48 hours will allow characterization of the transition from a 
hypocoagulable to a hypercoagulable state and full examination of the effect of the intervention on coagulation 
and inflammation after TBI. All attempts will be made to obtain study samples at the pre-specified time intervals 
and samples at times 0, 6, and 12 hours must be collected within +/- 30 minutes. Sampling at 24 and 48 hours 
will be collected within +/- 2 hours. In the event that samples cannot be collected in this time frame, 
documentation regarding the reason will be noted on the data collection forms. Up to 23 ml of blood will be 
collected in addition to the clinical sampling at each time point. Samples will be collected by the clinical person 
responsible for implementing physician orders for laboratory testing. The clinical research staff will then be 
responsible for processing and shipping at each site. All samples drawn for research purposes will be identified 
by the study number, the site identification number and date/time of collection. No personal identifying 
information will be included on the samples processed for research purposes. Assays that require immediate 
processing (TEG and CBC) will be performed at each study site by trained personnel. Other samples will be 
spun, aliquotted, frozen at -80°C, bar coded, and batch shipped by the clinical research staff to the Trauma 
Research Institute of Oregon, Oregon Health & Science University. The research laboratory data will be 
entered into a web based relational database created for the lab measurement component of this trial. 
 
5.6 Image Collection and Processing 
To reduce observer variation, we will perform a central review of all CT scans, a process that is considered 
essential in multicenter trials utilizing imaging studies. Each site will obtain digital images of all head CT scans 
obtained during the first 28 days of the subject’s initial hospitalization in Digital Imaging and Communication in 
Medicine (DICOM) format, which will be made available electronically by remote access, on a storage device, 
or via a secured file transfer protocol (FTP) upload site to OHSU CCC within two weeks of a subject’s 
discharge from the enrolling hospital. All MRI scans will be uploaded via the same mechanism to the OHSU 
image repository. All images will be stored in a de-identified manner. Head CT scans will be reviewed centrally 
at OHSU under the direction of a neuroradiologist who will be blinded to the treatment group assignment. A 
technician will be trained to utilize software designed to obtain computerized measurements of ICH 
volumes. The central neuroradiologist will audit 10% of scans to verify that accurate and consistent 
measurements are obtained. MRI and CT scans will be maintained in the imaging repository for future 


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analyses that may include computer-aided lesion analysis and/or regional brain volumetrics. 
 
5.7 Concurrent Care 
Prehospital care: there is significant variability in EMS systems resulting in difficulties associated with 
attempting to standardize care. Prehospital airway, fluid and blood product administration will not be 
standardized; however, detailed prehospital data will be collected to determine if there are potential differences 
in important prognostic treatment variables among different study sites. We will encourage the study drug to be 
administered as soon as possible after life-saving interventions are performed and prior to administration of 
blood products; however, there may be circumstances where this is not feasible.   
In-hospital care: in order to minimize variability in subsequent management of TBI, all sites will have 24 hour 
neurosurgical capability and will encourage the implementation of management guidelines set forth by the 
Brain Trauma Foundation that are supported by evidence based medicine.9 Additionally, evidence-based 
guidelines and protocols for critical care management will be encouraged and monitored and will include the 
following: management of severe TBI, early use of head CT with liberal use of repeat head CT for patients with 
ICH, massive transfusion protocol, transfusion guidelines for trauma patients, early detection and treatment of 
myocardial infarction and stroke, mechanical ventilation protocol, sedation/analgesia protocol for mechanical 
ventilation, early nutritional support protocol, glucose control in the ICU, diagnosis & treatment of ventilator 
associated pneumonia, adherence to surviving sepsis campaign guidelines, and venous thromboembolism 
surveillance and prophylaxis protocol for prevention.  In cases where a repeat CT is clinically indicated, it will 
be performed at approximately 6 hours. 
 
5.8 Early Termination of Study Drug  
 
When EMS personnel open the blinded study drug kit, the patient is enrolled and randomized and will be 
included in the primary statistical analysis if the study drug is connected to the patient’s IV access. The study 
drug will be terminated by EMS or by hospital providers for any of the reasons below. 
 
Prehospital: 
• 
Prehospital provider suspects the patient has developed a thrombotic event (MI,  ischemic stroke, ) or 
seizure activity 
• 
The patient requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 
 
In-hospital: 
• 
The patient, patient’s family member or legally authorized representative (LAR) withdraws from the 
study 
• 
The patient develops a thrombotic event (MI, PE, ischemic stroke, or symptomatic DVT) or seizure 
activity 
• 
The patient requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 
• 
The patient is discovered to be pregnant  
• 
A serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL is obtained 
• 
The patient requires administration of Factor IX Complex concentrates or Anti-inhibitor Coagulant 
concentrates 
• 
The patient is discharged from the hospital prior to completion of the 8 hour infusion 
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6. Study Outcome Measures 
6.1 Primary Outcome Measure: 6 Month Neurologic Outcome 
Two National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus conferences have addressed clinical trial design for 
interventions designed to impact outcome from TBI.81,82 The first emphasized the importance of assessing long 


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term outcome following brain injury and recommended use of the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) for subjects 
with severe brain injury (GCS ≤ 8) and the DRS for subjects with less severe brain injury (GCS 8-13).81 A 
subsequent conference recommended a 6 month follow-up utilizing outcomes that are “measurable, 
standardized, and relevant to lifestyle.”82 Specifically they recommended the use of the GOS-E. The rationale 
for this recommendation is that the GOS-E provides a better distinction between levels of disability, particularly 
within the severe disability groups, while the GOS combines a wider range of disability into one category. 
Furthermore, combining the GOS-E with the DRS increases the ability to detect improvement following 
TBI.83,84,85,86 
 
Detailed neurocognitive, behavioral, and psychological testing has been advocated for full assessment of 
neurologic outcome following TBI. This approach requires that the patient return to the trauma center for 
intensive testing and requires extensive training for those administering the assessments. This approach has 
not been directly compared against the most widely used measures of GOS-E and DRS. Furthermore, recent 
experience with this approach in a TBI outcome study demonstrated a 50% rate of refusal by the patients to 
return for this detailed testing.87 Thus, application of these outcome assessments in this trial would exceed 
available resources, increase the risk of poor inter-rater reliability, and result in inadequate follow-up rates for 
subsequent analysis.  
 
Extended Glasgow Outcome Score:  The GOS was first proposed by Jennet and Bond in 1975.88 It is a simple 
four-point scale based on the degree of patient disability. It has been widely adopted based on its simplicity 
and high inter-rater reliability.89,90,91 An Extended Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS-E) was subsequently 
developed which further subdivides the categories of severe and moderate disability and good recovery.92 
Structured telephone interviews have been developed and validated for both the GOS and GOS-E and these 
questions will be incorporated into our follow-up survey.86,92 For each level of function, the baseline function 
prior to injury is assessed to ensure that the deficit can be attributed to the event. The GOS and GOS-E have 
been shown to correlate well with several other outcome measurements after TBI including neuropsychological 
and cognitive testing, the DRS, and measures of perception of health (SF-36).85,92,93 The GOS-E will be 
assessed at discharge and at 6 months after injury. The GOS-E measured at 6 months will be the primary 
outcome for this trial. 
 
Outcome assessment: Outcome assessment will be performed by telephone survey that includes the key 
components of the GOS-E and will be administered to patients or their caregivers at the time of discharge for 
baseline assessment and at 6 months after injury. Attempts will be made to contact the patient directly; 
however, for patients who are severely disabled, information will be obtained from the primary caregiver. 
Reliability will be assessed and if the patient is determined to be unreliable, a caregiver will be sought to 
complete the survey. Previous studies demonstrate that caregiver assessment is a valid means of assessing 
these outcome parameters.92,103,94 Previous follow-up in the TBI population demonstrate variable success in 
achieving adequate response rates ranging from 73% to 99% follow-up at 6 months.95,96,97 The ROC DCC has 
extensive experience with long-term outcome assessment in both TBI and non-TBI populations. In a large 
multi-institutional study evaluating prehospital hypertonic saline administration in TBI conducted by the ROC, 
an 85% response rate was achieved.98 We will utilize this model that includes a detailed contact list collected 
from the patient or family and friends prior to discharge and a log for tracking follow-up attempts by the study 
coordinators. The Public Access Defibrillator trial used a similar follow-up method and although not a trauma 
trial, this model resulted in 100% follow-up for the primary endpoint.99 In addition, telephone contact at one 
month post discharge will be initiated to establish a relationship and commitment for the 6 month interview. 
 
6.2 Secondary Outcome Measures 
• 
Clinical outcomes: Observed volume (absolute and relative) of ICH progression, proportion of patients who 
develop observed ICH progression (as defined below), Rotterdam and Marshall CT classification scores, 
DRS at discharge and 6 months, GOS-E at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, and ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days.  
• 
Safety outcomes:  Development of seizures, cerebral ischemic events, MI, DVT, PE 


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• 
Mechanistic outcomes: Alterations in fibrinolysis based on fibrinolytic pathway mediators and degree of clot 
lysis based on kaolin activated TEG and defined as LY30 or the per cent lysis that occurs 30 minutes after 
maximum amplitude (MA) is achieved. 
 
ICH progression is associated with an increased need for neurosurgical intervention and is independently 
associated with a 5-fold increased mortality in patients with TBI.21 If seizures or other adverse outcomes are 
found in this trial, it will be important to balance the potential benefit in reduction of ICH progression with the 
risk of an adverse outcome to determine the overall impact of TXA. All clinically indicated head CT scans 
obtained during the initial hospitalization or within the first 28 days will be assessed for ICH. All cerebral and 
carotid/vertebrobasilar CT and standard angiograms will be assessed for blunt cerebrovascular injury. 
Parenchymal, subdural and epidural hemorrhage volumes will be measured and quantified using volumetric 
software and verified by manual calculations based on the previously validated ABC/2 technique as needed. 
100 Ten percent of all scans will be audited by a single neuroradiologist for accuracy.  Each case in which a 
disparity is detected will be discussed with the neuroradiologist resulting in review of additional cases and 
retraining of the technologist as necessary.   Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) will be categorized as ≤ 5 mm 
or > 5 mm. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) will be visually assessed as present or absent on all scans with 
progression determined by direct comparison of studies by a neuroradiologist. New focal ischemic lesions will 
be defined as an area of focal low attenuation in a distribution indicating an arterial ischemic cause rather than 
a traumatic contusion and will be rated using a validated scale for ischemic stroke.60  Mass effect will be 
defined as sulcal effacement, ventricular effacement, uncal herniation, cistern compression, and midline shift. 
The following outcome measures will be recorded: the difference in the total hemorrhage volume across scans, 
determination of significant hemorrhage progression between scans defined as greater than a 33% increase, 
presence of a new ICH, worsening of SAH grade, worsening IVH or mass effect, and the development of new 
focal cerebral ischemic lesions. We have chosen to define progression of subdural, epidural and 
intraparenchymal hemorrhages as an increase of > 33% over baseline based on the description by Brott et 
al.101 This number is based on the following: a 33% change in the volume of a sphere corresponds to a 10% 
increase in diameter, which is considered a clear difference to the naked eye of a physician viewing serial CT 
scans of a patient with an ICH.101 Thus, this difference can be assessed clinically without using volumetric 
software applications. Second, previous experience suggests variability in measurement of lesions may occur 
due to variation in patient positioning and angles of the CT slice images rather than to an actual increase in 
hemorrhage volume, especially for small hemorrhages. Thus, by using an increase of > 33%, our CT definition 
of intraparenchymal, subdural, and epidural hemorrhage progression is conservative and is more likely to 
represent true hemorrhage growth as opposed to variability in CT imaging.101 All MRI scans during the initial 
hospital stay performed as part of routine clinical care will be uploaded with CT imagines to the imaging 
repository for future analyses that may include computer-aided lesion analysis and/or regional brain 
volumetrics. 
 
The DRS is designed to classify patients based on their degree of function after brain injury. The DRS consists 
of 8 items that fall into 4 categories: a) arousability, awareness and responsivity, b) cognitive ability for self-
care activities, c) dependence on others, and 3) psychosocial adaptability.102 The DRS has been reported to be 
more sensitive than the GOS-E for changes in function over the first year following injury.103 This may be 
particularly important for patients with moderate TBI. In this trial we will be enrolling patients with both 
moderate and severe brain injury. The DRS will be administered to patients or their caregivers at the time of 
discharge for baseline assessment and at 6 months after injury by telephone survey along with the GOS-E. 
 
Laboratory assessment of coagulation will include fibrinolytic pathway mediators. These mediators are 
important in the fibrinolytic pathway and will provide insight into the mechanism underlying an observed 
treatment effect. TEG will be performed at serial time points as a viscoelastic measure of coagulation and 
fibrinolysis. 
 


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7.  Sample Size for the Primary Outcome 
The primary outcome is favorable neurologic function at 6 months after injury based on the GOS-E > 4.   Good 
outcome corresponds to either moderate disability or good recovery (GOS-E > 4), while poor outcome 
corresponds to death, vegetative state, or severe disability (GOS-E ≤ 4). The total sample size in the primary 
analysis population will be 963 (321 per group). The sample will include randomized patients for whom the 
treatment is started (modified intention to treat population). Power computations were based on a comparison 
of binomial probabilities with assumed variance larger than given by the binomial distribution; the hypothesized 
additional variance would be contributed by the multiple imputation of outcomes for subjects with missing 
outcome data.  Based on results from the TBI cohort in the ROC hypertonic saline trial, 98 we assumed that 
40% of subjects treated only with placebo would have a poor neurologic outcome (GOSE≤4) at 6 months, that 
15% of subjects would be missing 6-month outcome data, and that the per-subject additional variance 
contributed by the multiple imputation of the outcomes was 10-6.  Under these assumptions, our sample size 
will allow for 80% power to detect a 7.1% absolute increase in a favorable GOS-E (> 4) at six months post 
injury comparing the combined TXA treatment groups to placebo, using a one-sided, level 0.1 test. Similarly, in 
testing for harm, this sample size will allow for 80% power to detect an absolute decrease of 9.5% in the 
proportion of patients with a favorable long-term neurologic outcome, using a one-sided, level 0.025 test. 
 
8.  Analysis Plan 
8.1 Primary Analysis 
Primary analysis: The primary analysis will be a modified intention to treat analysis that will include all patients 
who were randomized and began treatment. Because of the double-blind design of the study, this analysis 
tests the primary study hypothesis, and with slightly higher power than an analysis of all randomized patients. 
The primary analysis of this endpoint will use multiple imputation methods to account for missing outcome 
data, and logistic regression adjusting for site, to compare the combined TXA treatment arms to the placebo 
arm and estimate the adjusted odds ratio to describe the strength of the association between TXA treatment 
and favorable GOS-E at 6 months104,105,106. To reduce the chances that we will fail to demonstrate a possible 
treatment effect in this phase II study, a one-sided hypothesis test at the 0.1 level will be performed to compare 
the combination of the two treatment groups to the placebo group.  To evaluate the possibility that TXA 
treatment reduces the proportion of patients with good neurologic outcome at six months, a one-sided test at 
the .025 level will be conducted.  
 
• Safety population: Analysis of treatment safety will be conducted on all patients who had the study drug 
connected to their IV line.  Safety data will be reported on a regular basis to the Resuscitation 
Outcomes Consortium Data Safety Monitoring Board (ROC DSMB).   
 
 
8.2 Pre-Specified Secondary Subgroup Analyses 
 
Secondary analyses of the primary endpoint will additionally adjust for baseline prognostic factors including 
age, gender, prehospital GCS, mechanism of injury, and injury severity. Analyses for secondary outcomes that 
are binary will be conducted similarly. Additional secondary analyses of the primary endpoint will compare 
each treatment group separately to placebo, and the two treatment groups to each other. For quantitative 
secondary outcomes, linear regression analysis with robust standard errors will be used to test for treatment- 
placebo differences and to estimate the mean outcome difference associated with treatment, after adjustment 
for site and prognostic variables. Evidence for modification of the effect of treatment in the efficacy population 
by the presence or absence of additional prognostic factors will be examined using interaction terms in linear 
or logistic regression models, and estimated treatment differences will be reported separately in subgroups 
together with the statistical significance of the associated hypothesis tests for interaction. It is recognized that 


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this study is not powered adequately to detect interactions and thus subgroup analyses will be considered 
exploratory, generating hypotheses for further study. 
 
A priori subgroup analyses will compare outcome between both the combined and individual TXA treatment 
groups and the placebo group in: 
1. Patients who met all inclusion and exclusion criteria 
2. Patients who received the full intervention/placebo 
3. Patients who receive the prehospital intervention/placebo only 
4. Patients with an ICH on initial head CT and repeat head CT performed within 24 hours 
5. Patients with blunt vs. penetrating TBI 
6. Patients with Head AIS score ≥ 4 
7. Patients with Head AIS score <2 (altered mental status likely secondary to intoxication and not 
significant TBI) 
8. Patients requiring emergent craniotomy 
9. Patients stratified by no PRBC received versus 1-9 units PRBC received versus ≥ 10 units PRBC 
received in the first 24 hours 
10. Patient who require TXA administration for hemorrhagic shock after being randomized in the study 
 
8.3 Mechanistic Outcomes 
Due to the large number of outcomes and potential analyses, results of analyses of these outcomes will be 
treated as exploratory and will be used to inform the design of future studies that may result in clinical 
recommendations. These results will be summarized descriptively and will be analyzed using the same 
methods as for the secondary outcomes in order to give insight into the mechanism(s) underlying the observed 
treatment effects. Results will be reported using point estimates and the 95% confidence intervals rather than 
p-values. 
 
8.4 Plan for Missing Data 
All possible efforts will be made to avoid missing outcome data.  These include collecting detailed contact 
information from a variety of different sources prior to hospital discharge (address, email, other family 
members, friends, physicians), contacting the patient/family within one month of discharge to establish a 
continued relationship, and integrating TXA follow-up with other medical follow-up (e.g. clinic, physical 
therapy).  For the primary analyses, any missing outcomes will most likely be due to study patients withdrawing 
from participation in post-discharge follow-up or dropping-out. Neurological status at discharge is highly 
correlated with neurological status at 6 months.107 Specifically, we anticipate that patients who have a “good 
outcome” at discharge tend to improve and not get worse and those that have a “poor outcome” tend to remain 
at the same status or improve. In primary analyses, multiple imputation methods will be used to account for 
missing outcome data. 108,109,110  Sensitivity analyses will consider modified worst-case (last observed GOS-E 
score minus 1) for missing outcomes in all treatment arms, and a modified best-case (last observed GOS-E 
score plus 1) for missing outcomes in all treatment arms. 
 
8.5 Sequential Monitoring Plan 
!
Because of the fear that selection criteria based only on field data may potentially include subjects who would 
not be able to benefit from TXA treatment, one formal futility analysis will be conducted based on outcome data 
from the first 200 subjects in the analysis population and reported to the ROC DSMB, using a Wang-Tsiatis 
boundary.111 The early stopping for futility is described in Table 1. The futility stopping rule would categorize 
results at the first analysis as futile if the observed crude difference in probabilities of a bad neurologic 
outcomes (GOSE < 5 at 6 months post injury) corresponded to an absolute increase of 6.8%.  As can be seen 
from the 95% confidence interval, this futility decision would nearly rule out the hypothesized improvement of 
7.1%. 


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Table 1: Protocol Stopping Rule 
 
Futility Boundary 
Efficacy Boundary 
N 
accrued 
Z 
Crude Diff 
Est (95% CI; one-sided P) 
Z 
Crude 
Diff 
Est (95% CI; one-sided P) 
First 
200 
0.955 
.068 
-.047 (-.072, .125); P = .82 
NA 
NA 
NA 
Second 
963 
-1.266 
-.042 
-.048(-.109, .022); P = .10 
-1.266 
-.042 
-.048(-.109, .022); P = .10 
 
Table 2 presents the probability of declaring superiority, futility or inferiority for selected hypothesized values of 
the true treatment effect.  The incorporation of the futility stopping rule affects the power of the study to detect 
benefit of TXA very little, moving the minimal absolute treatment difference that can be detected with 80% 
power from -0.070 to -0.071. 
Treatment Diff 
Pr[superior] 
 (power) 
Pr[Futile] 
Pr[inferior] 
-.071 
.80 
.20 
0 
-.05 
.59 
.41 
0 
-.03 
.35 
.64 
0 
-.02 
.25 
.75 
.01 
-.01 
.16 
.82 
.01 
0 
.10 
.88 
.02 
.01 
.06 
.90 
.05 
.02 
.03 
.89 
.09 
.05 
0 
.68 
.31 
.10 
0 
.16 
.84 
!
 
 
8.6 Adverse and Serious Adverse Events 
TXA has been in use for decades and the safety profile is well established. Adverse events will be reviewed by 
the sponsor, which is the ROC DCC, as required by 21 CFR part 312 in addition to other entities delineated. 
The trial will collect data on adverse events that may be associated with the use of TXA in TBI. These events 
will be reviewed by an independent medical monitor and reported regularly to the ROC data safety monitoring 
board (ROC DSMB). The ROC DSMB is a distinct and separate entity from the ROC DCC and functions 
independently from the sponsor. 
 
While there have been rare cases of thromboembolic events and seizures potentially associated with TXA use, 
usually at higher doses, there is no evidence that the TXA treatment regimen proposed in this trial is 
associated with an increased risk of vascular occlusive events or seizures. Nonetheless, data on vascular 
occlusive events and seizures will be collected as secondary outcomes and will be provided to the independent 
medical monitor and ROC DSMB for unblinded review as necessary. Emergency unblinding will be 
immediately available if the primary treatment team determines TXA should be administered based on 
standard of care (i.e. patients in hemorrhagic shock). While we do not anticipate additional need to perform 
emergency unblinding, in the event that unblinding is deemed necessary for safety or treatment related 
decisions during the course of the study, emergency unblinding will be available to the hospital physician. 
 
An adverse event (AE) will be defined as any untoward medical occurrence affecting a trial participant during 
the course of the trial. A serious adverse event (SAE) will be defined as any medical occurrence that results in 
death, is life-threatening, requires ICU admission, requires prolongation of existing hospitalization, or results in 
persistent or significant disability. All members of the patient management team will be instructed as to the 


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possible adverse events prior to the start of the trial and will be given an emergency contact number to 
immediately report any suspected adverse event to the site investigators.  Any deaths not explained by the 
injury severity will be reported individually according to regulations regarding serious adverse events. In 
addition, serious adverse events will be reported in aggregate by blinded treatment group to the medical 
monitor and ROC DSMB on a regular basis. All adverse events that occur during the study period (after 
randomization until hospital discharge) will be recorded on the ROC DCC Alert forms found online. All potential 
adverse events will be reviewed as to the assigned treatment group and further classified by: a) severity (life 
threatening, serious, non-serious) and b) expected versus unexpected. Expected adverse events, assessed by 
the site PI, will be monitored by each enrolling site, reported to overseeing agencies as required by federal 
regulations and local requirements, and reviewed periodically by the ROC DSMB. The ROC DCC will tabulate 
and report on non-SAEs on a regular basis. 
 
Suspected Unanticipated Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR): Unanticipated serious adverse reactions will 
include potentially related SAEs suspected to be related to study treatment/intervention. The site PI will classify 
all in-hospital mortality according to underlying and contributing causes most relevant to TBI and other life- 
saving interventions. 
 
Expected Adverse Events: Common expected adverse events will include: death related to TBI, infectious 
complications, ventilator assisted pneumonia, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute 
kidney injury, and multiple organ failure.  Counts of these will be tabulated and reported to the ROC Data 
Safety and Monitoring Committee on a regular basis. 
 
SUSAR Reporting Procedure and Databases: In addition to following local reporting procedures, sites will 
notify the ROC DCC of a SUSAR or possible thrombotic or seizure related death within 3 business days of 
discovery of the event, and the site will complete an FDA MedWATCH Form within 7 days of notification and 
within 15 days of notification if the SUSAR is not life threatening. For a SUSAR, the ROC DCC will notify the 
medical monitor, ROC DSMB, appropriate regulatory agencies (FDA, Health Canada), ROC DCC IRB, site 
IRBs/Research Ethics Boards (REB), and the Department of Defense (DoD) promptly.  
 
All unanticipated problems involving risk to subjects or others, serious adverse events related to participation in 
the study and subject deaths related to participation in the study must be promptly reported by phone (301-
619-2165), by email (usarmy.detrick.medcom:usamrmc.other.hrpo@mail.mil), or by facsimile (301-619-7803) 
to the USAMRMC, Office of Research Protections, Human Research Protection Office. A complete written 
report will follow the initial notification. In addition to the methods above, the complete report will be sent to the 
U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, ATTN: MCMR-RP, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, 
Maryland 21702-5000-us. 
 
Infusion Discontinuation Rules: Any thromboembolic event (MI, PE, ischemic stroke, or symptomatic DVT) or 
seizure activity will prompt cessation of the infusion and a medical safety review. Further detail regarding 
specific clinical indications for stopping the study drug early will be provided in the manual of operations. 
 
8.7 Other Adverse Events 
Due to the short duration of the study and the six-month time period between enrollment and primary outcome 
measurement, there will be no formal interim analysis, however, regular ROC DSMB meetings will be held 
every six months. All other adverse events will be reported to an independent medical monitor and chair of the 
ROC DSMB, reviewed at regular ROC DSMB meetings and included in a safety report to the FDA. All adverse 
events and protocol violations will be reviewed. The Chair of the ROC DSMB can convene additional meetings 
as necessary. 


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8.8 Roles and Responsibilities of the Medical Monitor 
An independent medical monitor will review all unexpected problems involving risk to subjects or others, SAEs 
and all deaths related to TBI and provide an unbiased written report of the events. At a minimum, the medical 
monitor must comment on the outcomes of the event or problem and in case of an SAE or TBI-related death, 
comment on the relationship to participation in the trial. Because a moderate number of deaths (approximately 
15% based on Trauma Epistry Registry data for patients with GCS ≤ 12)7 are expected due to the presence of 
moderate and severe TBI in the subjects enrolled prior to the intervention, individual reports to the ROC DSMB 
will be aggregated and reported on a timely schedule acceptable to the ROC DSMB. If the death is considered 
unexpected and is either suspected or probably due to treatment, this event will be promptly reported to the 
medical monitor and the ROC DSMB. The medical monitor must also indicate whether he/she concurs with the 
details of the report provided by the principal investigator. Reports for serious adverse events determined by 
either the investigator or medical monitor to be possibly or definitely related to participation must be promptly 
reported per FDA, DoD and/or Health Canada guidelines.   
 
Dr. Ernest Moore is the independent medical monitor for this study. He has committed to comply with the 
following statements: 
The monitor: 
[ X ] 
Is independent of the research team. 
[ X ] 
Possesses sufficient educational and professional experience to serve as a subject advocate. 
[ X ] 
Will promptly report discrepancies or problems to the IRB. 
[ X ] 
Has the authority to stop the research in progress, remove individual subjects  
            from the research, and take whatever steps are necessary to protect the  
            safety and well-being of the subjects until the IRB can assess the monitor’s report. 
8.9 Data Entry 
The ROC DCC uses a sophisticated secure data entry website with a separate home page for each protocol 
that allows case initiation and look up, access to references such as web entry instructions, form worksheets, 
manual of operations, a form completion matrix, training resources, a request system used as a formal channel 
of communication between the sites and the ROC DCC and an on-line inventory management system.  To 
permit managing thousands of subjects in all its studies and registries, the website has an interactive episode 
list that allows filtering, sorting, and accessing cases and specific forms of interest.  The data entry website 
employs many kinds of data entry quality controls, including field checks, within-form consistency checks, 
across-form consistency checks, and across protocol-case consistency checks.  Some checks cannot be 
bypassed, some can be overridden with an optional explanation, and some can be overridden only after 
consulting with the ROC DCC project managers.  The system provides live reporting on these checks to 
enable the ROC DCC to detect large and/or subtle patterns of data entry error. A flexible monitoring system 
allows for email notification to the ROC DCC and the addition of an alert form to the episode when data 
entered could be considered a protocol violation or deviation. All actions on the data entry website, such as 
modification of forms, are logged with the user and a timestamp to provide a complete history of any data point 
in the database. This facilitates resolution of any question arising from incidental and routine review of the 
data. 
 
8.10 Database Management 
Data collection and analysis will be organized into 3 tiers. First, data will be collected via the web as described 
above into the data collection relational database; most quality control measures will be employed at this stage 
to ensure data entry quality.  Data will be pulled from this database and formed into a 2nd transitional 
database.  At this stage, additional data that are not directly the result of data entry will be added, such as 
calculated variables.  Data can then be exported for analysis in most statistical software packages. 
 
Computer servers are housed either on site at the ROC DCC or are managed by University of Washington 


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Information Technology (UW-IT) at one of the UW data centers. Daily backups are made of the most important 
data: the web portal, relational database, the shared file server, and key files from personal computers. Tape 
backups of the same data are made and taken offsite on a weekly rotation, and scheduled less frequently, a 
tape backup is kept offsite in accordance with current applicable UW records retention policies. 
9.  Human Subjects Research 
9.1 Potential risks 
The patients in this study will be randomized to 1 gram TXA bolus with 1 gram TXA 8-hour maintenance 
infusion versus 2 gram TXA bolus with placebo 8-hour maintenance infusion versus placebo bolus and 8-hour 
maintenance infusion. TXA has been associated with seizures and increased risk of thrombotic events. These 
potentially negative outcomes form the basis for the secondary outcome measures. Children estimated to be 
less than 15 years of age, women who are known to be pregnant, and prisoners will be excluded from this trial. 
The ROC DCC will advise the site IRB/REB’s and clinical investigators that review and approval of the protocol 
must satisfy the applicable sections of 21 CFR 50 Subpart D, Additional Safeguards for Children in Clinical 
Investigations. 
 
In accordance with FDA regulations, we will develop an adverse event reporting system to identify and treat 
any potential adverse events. We intend to closely monitor the clinical course of all patients enrolled in this trial 
to identify any expected or unexpected adverse events. Data regarding adverse events will be collected in both 
a structured (standard form) and open (describing any difficulties encountered) format. Expedited serious 
adverse events will be reported by the ROC DCC to the Medical Monitor, FDA, ROC DSMB, DoD, ROC IRB 
and site IRB/REB’s in the timelines as required by 21 CFR 312.32. In addition, aggregate reports regarding 
other safety endpoints will be reviewed by the ROC DSMB at their meetings. 
 
9.2 Potential Benefits to Placebo Arm 
Due to the Hawthorne effect, patients in both arms of the study may anticipate improved outcomes due to the 
additional training and focus by both prehospital and hospital personnel. The benefit to society involves a 
critical evaluation of antifibrinolytic therapy in a patient population that is likely to benefit from the intervention. 
Results from this study could form the basis for a significant improvement in the management of TBI. 
9.3 Protection Against Risks 
9.3.1 Protection of Human Subjects and Consent 
This study qualifies for the “Exception from informed consent required for emergency research” outlined in FDA 
regulation 21CFR50.24.  
1. Subjects are in a life threatening situation and collection of valid scientific evidence is necessary to 
determine the safety and effectiveness of the particular interventions 
2. Obtaining informed consent is not feasible because the subject cannot give reasonable consent due to 
medical condition, intervention must be given before consent can be obtained from a LAR, and cannot 
prospectively select subject 
3. There is prospect of direct benefit to subject because they are in a life-threatening situation requiring 
intervention, risks associated with this study are reasonable compared to standard of care therapy 
4. The research could not be practically be carried out without the waiver 
5. Diligent attempts will be made to contact the LAR or family member for them to object to subject’s 
continued study participation within the protocol-defined therapeutic window. 
6. IRB has reviewed and approved the informed consent procedures and documents to be used with the 
subjects or LAR for this study 
7. Additional protection of rights will be provided which will include: community consultation and public 
notification, an established independent data safety monitoring committee, and efforts will be made to 
obtain informed consent from family members if the LAR is not available 


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A detailed explanation of each criterion stipulated in the regulations for this exception and how our trial design 
applies to these criteria is outlined in Appendix1. 
 
This study qualifies for the “Exception from informed consent required for emergency research” outlined in FDA 
regulation 21CFR50.24. Based on previous data, TXA is anticipated to be most effective if administered 
immediately following injury. In this uncontrolled setting the patient has an altered mental status secondary to 
brain injury, which can cause confusion and loss of consciousness. As a result, the patient is unable to provide 
consent for study enrollment. Legal next-of-kin are often not immediately available at the injury scene, nor is it 
typically feasible for the prehospital or ED providers to explain the study and receive consent while caring for 
the critically injured patient. Taken together, these issues provide sufficient support for an exception from 
informed consent in order to evaluate an intervention that may have significant outcome benefits to this patient 
population.  For the rare scenario where family members and/or next of kin are available at the injury scene 
and an opportunity for consenting them presents itself, a short script providing information regarding the study 
will be made available to the family members/next of kin such that they have an opportunity to withdraw 
consent for the patient’s participation in the study. Once the subject arrives in the hospital the site principal 
investigator or a designated member of the research team will make frequent attempts as soon as feasible, per 
local IRB/REB requirements, to contact a LAR and/or family member to obtain consent for continued 
participation and provide an opportunity to withdraw from participation in the study. A verbal withdrawal will be 
considered binding. Attempts to contact will include direct contact, telephone contact and written contact or any 
other contact options as approved by local IRB/REB policy. An assessment will be done at the time of 
approaching the LAR/subject for consent to assure the LAR and/or subject is competent to make a sound 
decision regarding the consent process. In the event that the subject does not survive following the traumatic 
injury, their information will be included in the data analysis. Written notification may be sent to the deceased‘s 
family regarding their participation in the study, per local IRB/REB policy. Due to the severity of the injuries 
incurred, it is difficult to specify the time frame involved with obtaining the consent, however multiple attempts 
will be made to obtain consent prior to completion of the study requested blood tests (72 hours after hospital 
arrival).   
 
The requirements for community consultation/public disclosure will be determined by each institution’s local 
IRB/REB. All sites have experience conducting random telephone surveys as well as developing and 
completing community consultation and public disclosure processes. The ability and method of opting out of 
the study will be determined by local IRBs/REBs. Community consultation will be undertaken prior to IRB/REB 
approval. Because the population eligible for enrollment includes all citizens in the study regions, it will not be 
possible to target specific individuals although the local IRB/REB may suggest targeting specific groups such 
as teenagers. The community consultation plan for each study site will be individualized to fit the IRB/REB 
requirements. The ROC sites have considerable experience conducing community consultation and have 
published these experiences. A variety of methods are employed including consultation with community 
leaders and targeted community groups, random telephone surveys, and community meetings.  Most sites 
provide an “opt out” process determined by their local IRB/REB. This process allows members of the 
community to identify themselves if they choose not to be involved in the study. The associated “opt out” 
identifier is often in the form of bracelets or identification card. Prehospital personnel will be trained to check for 
these “opt out” identifiers prior to enrolling any patient.  Public disclosures will be performed both prior to study 
enrollment and at the completion of the study in the form of multimedia press releases organized by the ROC 
and by local sites. Local sites may decide to target notification to specific community groups such as 
teenagers, biking clubs, motorcycle clubs, etc. at the direction of the local IRB/REB. These will include plans 
for the study, including potential risks and benefits, equipoise and a summary of the results of the study upon 
completion. In the event that the press releases are not widely circulated, advertisements will also be placed in 
local papers describing the study. Information regarding the study will also be available on the ROC website.  
 


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9.3.2 Vulnerable populations 
Across the US and Canada the laws defining the adult population as related to consent differ from an age of 15 
years at the youngest to 21 years at the oldest.  In order to consider this wide variability, all consent related 
procedures, forms, and notification documents will be approved by the participating sites local IRBs or 
Canadian Research Ethics Boards (REBs) prior to the onset of the study. 
 
This study may include subjects age 15 to 20. Subjects sixteen years of age and older are considered as adult 
trauma subjects in a large percent of the trauma centers. Sixteen and seventeen year olds are able to drive in 
most states and are at high risk for motor vehicle accidents resulting in blunt or penetrating injuries. Excluding 
this age group would significantly decrease our efforts to randomize 963 subjects in a one year period of time. 
Additionally, it is difficult to differentiate a 16 or 17 year old from one who is 21 or older at the time care is 
initiated in the prehospital setting until positive identification can be obtained. Children below the age of 15 or 
50 kg body weight will be excluded from this trial. Children‘s intravascular volume is different than the adult‘s, 
requiring adjustments to the standard adult treatment protocols. In addition, this study will be conducted at 
Level I trauma centers which may or may not have affiliated pediatric programs. 
 
Known or suspect pregnant women will be excluded from this study due to the lack of controlled studies in this 
population.   
 
Suspected or known prisoners (defined as any individual involuntarily confined or detained in a penal institution 
or any individual in police custody who requires a police escort at all times) are excluded. It is possible that 
subjects may be enrolled who are under observation as suspects and become prisoners at some point during 
their hospitalization or following discharge.  Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) approval of an 
IRB/REB prisoner certification allows the research procedures and data collection to continue for any patient 
who becomes a prisoner after enrollment. As with any other enrolled subject, consenting and/or notifying the 
patient, family, and/or LAR with the option to withdraw is required. Participating site IRB/REB’s will seek 
prisoner certification approval from OHRP. 
 
A Certificate of Confidentiality will be obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to protect the privacy 
of subjects by protecting identifiable research information from forced disclosure. The Certificate of 
Confidentiality will allow the investigators and other research associates who have access to research records 
to refuse to disclose identifying information on subjects in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceeding, whether at the federal, state, or local level. For example, during the 6-month GOSE interview, 
information that if disclosed could have adverse consequences for subjects or damage their financial standing,  
employability, insurability, or reputation.  By protecting researchers and institutions from being compelled to 
disclose information that would identify research subjects, the Certificate of Confidentiality will help  
achieve the research objectives and promote participation in studies by assuring confidentiality and privacy to 
participants.   
   
 
9.4 Proposal Timeline 
The following is the proposed timeline for this trial: Submit protocol to ROC Protocol Review Committee 
(September 2013), submit to ROC DSMB (October 2013), submit to FDA for IND (September 2013), obtain 
ROC DSMB final approval (November 2013), obtain FDA IND approval (January 2014), begin web data entry 
design and programming (January 2014), begin site IRB/REB submission (Jan 2014), begin community 
consultation (Mar 2014), start public notification (May 2014), final IRB approvals and web data entry completed 
(May 2014), DoD Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) approval (May 2014), first site enrolls (June 
2014), last site begins enrollment (Sept 2014), last patient enrolled (June 2015), final data cleaning and data 
analysis (Dec 2015), final analysis (Feb 2016), primary manuscript submitted (May 2016). 
 


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9.5 Public Purpose 
TXA has been shown to safely reduce the risk of death due to bleeding in thousands of injured patients across 
the world. The absolute benefit has ranged from 1.5% in a broad population of injured patients, to 6.5% in 
injured warfighters receiving a blood transfusion, to 13.7% in those requiring a massive transfusion. Thus, in 
the most severely injured patients the number of people that need to be treated to save one life is only 7. TXA 
has not been well studied in TBI. In the largest study of patients with TBI and ICH, TXA use was associated 
with a decrease in the volume of ICH progression by 27%.  This is extremely important because progression of 
ICH is independently associated with a 5-fold increase in mortality. Since TBI is the leading cause of death and 
disability due to trauma and is the number one cause of death in young people, if TXA is shown to improve 
outcome in patients with TBI, it could be one of the most important advances in the treatment of TBI to date. 
 
9.6 Military Significance 
TBI is a major cause of death and disability on the battlefield. Veterans who have suffered TBI have life-long 
functional limitations, as well as a high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide.112 Efforts to 
treat TBI in the field include avoiding hypotension and secondary brain injury. Current Tactical Combat 
Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines do not directly address the management of casualties with TBI except for 
providing an adequate airway, maintaining the arterial oxygen saturation > 90%, and avoiding shock.113 There 
is currently no effective therapy that offers the potential to improve the return to duty rate and decrease death 
and disability among warfighters. The MATTERS trial showed improved survival in a military population despite 
the fact that patients who received TXA were more severely injured and more coagulopathic.51 TXA has 
tremendous potential to limit ICH progression, reduce surrounding brain edema, minimize cellular injury and 
improve long-term neurological outcome after TBI. TCCC guidelines recommend a 1 gram bolus of TXA 
followed by a 1 gram infusion over 8 hours for hemorrhagic shock or those at risk for major bleeding. The 
current proposal has the potential to significantly change these recommendations. First, a positive trial would 
potentially broaden the field indications for TXA to casualties with TBI. Second, an improved understanding of 
the safety profile of TXA use in TBI will allow TXA to be given safely to warfighters with both hemorrhagic 
shock and head injury. Finally, we propose studying a single 2 gram dose of TXA delivered in a manner that 
would be far more feasible to administer in austere or hostile conditions than the current method that requires a 
continuous infusion over 8 hours. The results of this study will be highly relevant to the military and could 
provide the foundation for expanding military guidelines for treatment of injured warfighters with TBI.  


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66 Hoyt DB.  Post hoc ergo propter hoc: the story of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium.  J 
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69 Bulger EM, Jurkovich GJ, Nathens AB et al.  Hypertonic resuscitation of hypovolemic shock after 
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71 Wald SL, Shackford SR, Fenwick J.  The effect of secondary insults on mortality and long-term 
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72 Lindoff C, Rybo G, Astedt B.  Treatment with tranexamic acid during pregnancy, and the risk of 
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1983. Data on file. 
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75 Melander B, Gleniecki G, Grandstrand  et al.  Biochemistry and toxicology of Amikapron: the 
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76 Morita H, Tachizowa H, Akimoto T.  Evaluation of the safey of tranexamic acid.  Teratogenic effects 
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77 Fiechtner BK, Nuttall GA, Johnson ME et al.  Plasma tranexamic acid concentrations during 
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80 Berman M, Cardone D, Sharples L et al.  Safety and efficacy of aprotinin and tranexamic acid in 
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81 Clifton GL, Kreutzer JS, Choi SC et al.  Relationship between Glasgow Outcome Scale and 
neuropsychological measures after brain injury.  Neurosurgery. 1993; 33:34-38. 
82 Narayan RK, Michel ME, Ansell B et al.  Clinical trials in head injury.  J Neurotraum. 2002; 19:503-
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83 Doppenberg EM, Choi SC, Bullock R. Clinical trials in traumatic brain injury: lessons for the future.  
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84 Hammond FM, Grattan K, Sasser H et al.  Long-term recovery course after traumatic brain injury: a 
comparison of the functional independence measure and disability rating scale.  J Head Trauma 
Rehabil. 2001; 16: 318-329. 
85 Levin HS, Goldstein FC, MacKenzie EJ et al.  Validity and sensitivity to change of the extended 
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86 Pettigrew LE, Wilson JT, Teasdale GM.  Reliability of ratings of the Glasgow Outcome Scales from 
in-person and telephone structured interviews.  J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2003; 18: 252-258. 
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posttraumatic amnesia or posttraumatic confusional state? J Neurosurg. 1999; 90: 635-643. 
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480-484. 
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term follow-up after severe brain injuries.  Acta Neurochir Suppl. 1998; 71:138-141. 
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1998; 15:587-597. 
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93 Wilson JT, Pettigrew LE, Teasdale GM.  Emotional and cognitive consequences of head injury in 
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94 Pettigrew LE, Wilson JT, Teasdale GM.  Assessing disability after head injury: improved use of the 
Glasgow Outcome Scale.  J Neurosurg. 1998; 89:939-943. 
95 Gentilello LM, Rivara FP, Donovan DM et al.  Alcohol interventions in a trauma center as a means 
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96 Holbrook TL, Hoyt DB, Anderson JP.  The impact of major in-hospital complications on functional 
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traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.  JAMA. 2010; 304:1455-1464. 
99 The Public Access Defibrillation Trial Investigators.  Public-access defibrillation and survival after 
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hemorrhage. Stroke. 1997;28:1-5. 
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107 Holbrook TL, Hoyt DB.  Outcome after major trauma: discharge and 6-month follow-up results 
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Appendix 1:  Exception from Consent for Emergency Research 
We have outlined below each criteria stipulated in the regulations for this exception and how our 
study design applies to these criteria. 
Sec. 50.24 Exception from informed consent requirements for emergency research 
(1) The human subjects are in a life-threatening situation, available treatments are unproven or 
unsatisfactory, and the collection of valid scientific evidence, which may include evidence 
obtained through randomized investigations, is necessary to determine the safety and 
effectiveness of particular interventions. 
The proposed trial is a randomized, controlled trial of Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic 
Brain Injury. The randomized drug regimen of 1 gram TXA followed by 1 gram 8 hour drip, 2 gram 
TXA followed by 8 hour placebo drip, or placebo initial dose, and placebo 8 hour drip to be initiated as 
soon as feasible to victims of blunt or penetrating moderate to severe head injury (GCS ≤12) and no 
initial hypotension (SBP>90 mmHg). These patients are in an immediate life threatening situation with 
mortality of >25% with 1/3 of patients surviving to experience mild to moderate neurologic deficit.  
Standard of care for prehospital management of these patients includes the rapid infusion of 
crystalloid solutions without any pharmacological interventions to control hemorrhage or secondary 
inflammatory injury.  
As reviewed in this proposal the extent of brain damage experienced by patients with TBI is 
determined by the extent of the primary injury as well as of secondary injury consisting of 
coagulopathy and inflammation. TXA has been shown to prevent hyperfibrinolysis which may limit 
progression of ICH and reduce cerebral edema through its action on plasminogen. TXA is an 
established drug for hemophilia to reduce or prevent hemorrhage and to reduce the need for 
replacement therapy during tooth extraction. Its profile in those indications and doses is known. TXA 
has recently been the subject of a large multicenter trial targeting its use to control hemorrhage in 
patients suffering from traumatic injuries including a subset of TBI patients. Although the safety profile 
of these patients was not well captured, there did not appear to be a large number of associated 
adverse events if TXA was given less than 3 hours after injury. In a smaller trial TXA was associated 
with a significant reduction in the rate of re-bleeding. Our trial will administer TXA in the prehospital 
setting as soon as feasible after TBI and will capture more thoroughly the safety data on this 
population through our rigorous trial administration and data capture. No new pharmacological therapy 
has been implemented for routine use in acute TBI in over 30 years.12 Mortality in patients with severe TBI is 
greater than 25%113 yet one third of patients still survive with minimal to moderate neurologic deficits. Given 
this wide variability in neurological recovery, an effective treatment for TBI has the potential to significantly 
impact neurologic outcomes.  
(2) Obtaining informed consent is not feasible because: 
i. 
The subjects will not be able to give their informed consent as a result of their medical 
condition; 
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ii. 
The intervention under investigation must be administered before consent from the 
subjects' legally authorized representatives is feasible; and 
iii. 
There is no reasonable way to identify prospectively the individuals likely to become 
eligible for participation in the clinical investigation. 
(i, ii &iii) In order to perform this trial, the initial dose of the randomized intervention will be 
administered within a short time of EMS arrival at the injury scene; estimated to be 5-10 minutes. The 
patient will often have altered mental status as a result of the injury or require intubation. The patient is 
often unable to provide consent for study enrollment as a result of their injuries. The legal next-of-kin 
are often not immediately available in the prehospital setting or when the patient arrives to the ED. 
Because this trial involves traumatic brain injury which is unpredictable, there is no way to 
prospectively identify individuals who are likely to become eligible for this trial. We will inform the 
family member or LAR at the earliest feasible opportunity of the subject‘s inclusion in the clinical 
investigation, the details of the investigation, other information contained in the informed consent 
document, and that he or she may discontinue the subject‘s participation at any time without penalty or 
loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled. Such notification is not usually feasible 
before or at the actual time of treatment and may be deferred until after resuscitation efforts have been 
completed. Such notification will be in person wherever possible and as soon as feasible unless 
otherwise directed by an IRB/REB.  
 
(3) Participation in the research holds out the prospect of direct benefit to the subjects 
because:  
i. 
Subjects are facing a life-threatening situation that necessitates intervention; 
ii. 
Appropriate animal and other preclinical studies have been conducted, and the 
information derived from those studies and related evidence support the potential for 
the intervention to provide a direct benefit to the individual subjects; and 
iii. 
Risks associated with the investigation are reasonable in relation to what is known 
about the medical condition of the potential class of subjects, the risks and benefits of 
standard therapy, if any, and what is known about the risks and benefits of the 
proposed intervention or activity. 
(i) As defined, these patients with traumatic brain injury are facing a life threatening situation which 
requires immediate intervention. 
(ii) Previous trials studying TXA have been conducted in the trauma population and suggest a survival 
advantage overall and significant direct benefit to patients with TBI if given as soon as possible and 
within the first 3 hours of injury.  
(iii) There are currently no available medications that have been shown to improve outcome for 
patients with moderate and severe TBI. There have been two randomized controlled trials examining 
the use of TXA in patients with moderate and severe TBI. One of these trials used the 1 gram bolus 
followed by 1 gram infusion dose being utilized in one of the arms of this trial.1 The other trial utilized 
the 2 gram bolus dose being used in the second treatment arm of this trial.2 Both trials demonstrated 
statistical trends toward decreased progression of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and decreased 
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mortality in patients receiving TXA compared to placebo. Furthermore, no increase in thromboembolic 
or other complication was observed.   
(4) The clinical investigation could not practicably be carried out without waiver. 
This trial could not be conducted without waiver of consent due to the need to administer the study 
medication  as part of  the initial resuscitation of the patient. 
(5) The proposed investigational plan defines the length of the potential therapeutic window 
based on scientific evidence, and the investigator has committed to attempting to contact a 
legally authorized representative for each subject within that window of time and, if feasible, 
to asking the legally authorized representative contacted for consent within that window 
rather than proceeding without consent. The investigator will summarize efforts made to 
contact legally authorized representatives and make this information available to the IRB at 
the time of continuing review. 
The initial resuscitation time period for this trial begins at the time the paramedics arrive at the patient in 
the injury scene. Resuscitation and intervention protocols are often initiated within the first 5-10 minutes of 
EMS arrival. Due to the nature of the injury and the intensity of the resuscitation efforts, it is not often 
feasible to obtain consent prior to the resuscitation protocol being initiated and prior to randomization into 
the study. The legal next of kin are often not immediately available when the EMS arrives at the patient’s 
side. However, a script will be provided when feasible in the prehospital setting to inform patients, 
their legal representative, or family member of the study  and allow an opportunity for verbal objection 
to study enrollment or to withdraw from further participation in accordance with FDA regulations under 
21 CFR 50.24. But it is acknowledged that the acute circumstances may only rarely if ever afford 
such opportunity. 
 
Once the patient arrives in the emergency department (ED) resuscitation continues. The family is not 
usually present during this time. We will, however, make a reasonable attempt to contact a LAR for each 
subject at the earliest feasible opportunity to obtain consent rather than proceeding without consent. The 
LAR or family will be informed of the subject‘s inclusion in the clinical trial, the details of the trial, other 
information contained in the informed consent document, and that he or she may discontinue the subject‘s 
participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefit to which the subject is otherwise entitled. Such 
notification is not usually feasible before or at the time of treatment and must be deferred until after 
resuscitation efforts have been completed. Such notification will be in person wherever possible and as 
soon as feasible (unless otherwise directed by a local IRB/REB).  
 
Informed consent will be obtained from patients or their LAR of the study when feasible. In addition, due to 
the continuation of the intervention into the hospital, repeated attempts will be made to contact that patient 
or LAR at the earliest feasible opportunity after hospital arrival to notify them of study participation and 
seek consent for ongoing participation. Efforts to contact LARs will be tracked and reported to the local 
IRB. Attempts will continue to obtain consent from the LAR and/or patient throughout the hospitalization. 
Attempts to contact will include direct contact, telephone contact and written contact of any other contact 
options as approved by local IRB policy. An assessment will be done at the time of approaching the 
LAR/subject for consent to assure the LAR and/or subject is competent to make a sound decision 
regarding the consent process.  
 
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When approached for notification of study participation following enrollment, the patient or their LAR will 
have the option of withdrawing from the study. During the notification process, the details of the trial will 
be reviewed along with potential risks and benefits, the endpoints of interest and the process by which 
these endpoints are evaluated. When notified of trial enrollment, the patient or their legal representative 
will be given the opportunity to withdraw from further data and sample collection. If the patient or LAR 
withdraws, all further data collection and blood sampling will cease. A verbal withdrawal of the subject‘s 
further participation in the study will be considered binding. Data collected prior to the point of withdrawal 
will be reviewed for study purposes. All research laboratory samples collected up to the point of 
withdrawal will be obtained and analyzed. In this circumstance, we will be limited to a description of 
baseline data and data collected up to the point of patient withdrawal to ensure that subjects who 
withdraw are comparable among the groups. Our previous experience suggests that refusals of this 
nature are rare. It will be up to local IRBs/REBs to determine if and when a written consent form is 
required for continued participation.  
 
As this is an emergency research study we will be seeking an emergency waiver of consent. We will 
contact the LAR for continued trial participation, at the earliest feasible time for the LAR to provide 
informed consent. All study procedures already performed and yet to be completed will be explained, 
consent for continued participation will be requested as well as consent for follow-up after hospital 
discharge. If the subject becomes competent to provide consent during their admission, he/she will be 
approached by the research coordinator for approval for all study procedures including the 6 month follow-
up interviews.  
 
Taken together with the lack of current satisfactory treatment, the life-threatening nature of these trauma 
types, and the prospect of benefit to participants, these factors provide sufficient support for an 
emergency exception from informed consent in order to evaluate an intervention that may have significant 
outcome benefits to this patient population.  
 
(6) The IRB has reviewed and approved informed consent procedures and an informed 
consent document consistent with Sec. 50.25. These procedures and the informed consent 
document are to be used with subjects or their legally authorized representatives in situations 
where use of such procedures and documents is feasible. The IRB has reviewed and approved 
procedures and information to be used when providing an opportunity for a family member to 
object to a subject's participation in the clinical investigation consistent with paragraph 
(a)(7)(v) of this section. 
 
All procedures and consent forms will be approved by the regional study site (Institutional Review 
Boards (IRBs) or Canadian Research Ethics Boards,(REBs) prior to the onset of the trial. 
 
(7) Additional protections of the rights and welfare of the subjects will be provided, including, 
at least: 
i. 
Consultation (including, where appropriate, consultation carried out by the IRB) with 
representatives of the communities in which the clinical investigation will be conducted 
and from which the subjects will be drawn; 
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Public notification and community consultation in accordance with local IRB and Canadian REB 
policies will be undertaken prior to IRB/REB approval. Because the population eligible for 
enrollment includes all citizens in the study regions, it will not be possible to target specific 
individuals although the local IRB/REB may recommend targeting specific groups. The community 
consultation plan for each trial site will be individualized to fit the local IRB/REB requirements. The 
participating sites have considerable experience conducing community consultation. A variety of 
methods are employed including consultation with community leaders and targeted community 
groups, random telephone surveys, and community meetings. Most sites provide an opt-out 
process to individuals who do not want to be enrolled. The opt-out process allows all members of 
the community to identify themselves if they choose to not be involved with the study. For this 
study, the opt-out identifier (i.e., colored bracelet or identification card) will be determined by the 
local IRB and will be made available through the community consultation programs. The identifier 
can be given to the individuals at time of meeting or mailed out to the individuals requesting the 
opt-out process. Prehospital personnel will be trained to check for these patients prior to 
randomization.  
 
ii. 
Public disclosure to the communities in which the clinical investigation will be 
conducted and from which the subjects will be drawn, prior to initiation of the clinical 
investigation, of plans for the investigation and its risks and expected benefits; 
(ii) Our suggested approach to public disclosure/community consultation will follow techniques 
previously approved by local IRBs/REBs and employed at individual centers, such as random-digit 
dialing, open-forums, public announcements via newspaper or radio, and other locally approved 
methods of contact with the public. Visual aids, such as power point, flyers or posters can be used 
in the presentations, and all material will be in lay terminology. Each communication will include 
information as to the purpose of the trial, the consent process, the risk and benefits to the 
community/patient, and the time commitment required. As each community is unique and may 
require specific or special needs, the local IRBs/REBs will approve the methods for their 
community and ensure that community consultation practices are both appropriate and complete 
before consent is given to begin the trial.   
iii. 
Public disclosure of sufficient information following completion of the clinical 
investigation to apprise the community and researchers of the study, including the 
demographic characteristics of the research population, and its results; 
(iii) Public disclosures will be performed both prior to trial enrollment (with opportunity and a 
mechanism for the community to contact the investigators with their response) and at the 
completion of the trial in the form of multimedia press releases organized by the ROC and by local 
sites at the direction of the IRB/REB. These will include plans for the trial, including potential risks 
and benefits, and a summary of the results of the trial upon completion. In the event that the press 
releases are not widely circulated, advertisements will also be placed in local papers describing the 
trial. Information regarding the trial will also be available on the ROC website. 
iv. 
Establishment of an independent data monitoring committee to exercise oversight of 
the clinical investigation;  
(iv) An independent data safety monitoring board will exercise oversight of the study.-and 
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v. 
If obtaining informed consent is not feasible and a legally authorized representative is 
not reasonably available, the investigator has committed, if feasible, to attempting to 
contact within the therapeutic window the subject's family member who is not a legally 
authorized representative, and asking whether he or she objects to the subject's 
participation in the clinical investigation.  
(v) We expect that the majority of subjects who meet the enrollment criteria will either be 
unconscious or have an altered mental status secondary to acute blood loss, traumatic brain injury 
or intoxicating substances, and thus will not be in a position to provide informed consent in the 
Prehospital or ED setting. Accordingly, it may not be feasible to attempt to obtain informed consent 
during the therapeutic window. We will inform the family member or LAR at the earliest feasible 
opportunity of the subject‘s inclusion in the clinical trial, the details of the trial, other information 
contained in the informed consent document, and that he or she may discontinue the subject‘s 
participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise 
entitled. (See more details in item 5 above.) Such notification is not usually feasible before or at the 
actual time of treatment and must be deferred until after resuscitation efforts have been completed. 
Such notification will be in person wherever possible and as soon as feasible (unless otherwise 
directed by a local IRB). A local log will be kept to document the attempts made to contact the 
LAR/family member.  
vi. 
The investigator will summarize efforts made to contact family members and make this 
information available to the IRB at the time of continuing review. 
(v &vi) A script will be provided to explain the study to patients, their legally authorized 
representatives, or family members prior to study enrollment whenever feasible. In addition, 
patients, their legally authorized representative, or family member will be contacted as soon as 
feasible to be notified of study participation, give permission for 6 month follow up calls and be 
allowed an opportunity to withdraw from the study. For those who withdraw no further data will 
be collected beyond the withdrawal date except for vital status at hospital discharge. These 
efforts will be documented and reported to the IRB/REB per local requirements. 
 
(8) References 
1!CRASH-2 Collaborators.  Effect of tranexamic acid in traumatic brain injury: a nested randomized, 
placebo controlled trial (CRASH-2 Intracranial Bleeding Study). BMJ. 2011; 343:d3795. 
2 Yutthakasemsunt S, Kittiwattanagul W, Piyavechvirat P et al. Tranexamic acid for patients with 
traumatic brain injury: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. BMC Emergency 
Medicine. 2013; 13:20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Appendix 2: Suggested Templates for Consent and Notification Forms 
 
Sample Prehospital TXA Use for TBI Emergency Provider Script for Verbal 
Exception from Informed Consent Participation 
 
[Insert name of institution] 
 
Study Information Script 
 
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
 
Prehospital Study Information and Opportunity for Verbal Objection to Enrollment 
 
Instructions:  
 
While at the scene when the emergency medical system (EMS) provider determines the injured person has 
met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria, the following information may be provided as feasible to the 
conscious and alert patient, legally authorized representative, and/or family member of the patient who has 
experienced injury from trauma. 
 
The purpose of the study information script is to attempt to provide an opportunity for verbal objection to study 
enrollment or to offer the opportunity to decline further participation, if already enrolled, only if the situation is 
both safe and does not adversely affect patient care and/or transport. The acute circumstances should only 
rarely, if ever, afford such opportunities.   
EMS providers will be trained to attempt notification only in situations when feasible to conscious or alert 
patient, legal representative or family member. 
 
Script: 
1. You (or your loved one) appear to be at risk for brain injury and needs treatment to protect the brain from 
further injury.  
  
2. I want to let you know that we [Local emergency medical service] are conducting a research study that tests 
the use of a medication to treat brain injury which is commonly used to control bleeding in hopes of saving 
more lives. 
 
3. Treatment needs to be done quickly, but we want to give you the option of not being enrolled in the study. 
 
4. If you say no we will treat you (or your loved one) according to our standard protocols. Someone will give you
more information when we reach the hospital.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Sample - Prehospital TXA Use for TBI 
Consent/Notification 
 
[Insert name of institution] 
 
Continued Participation Consent/Notification Form 
 
 Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
 
Investigators 
 
[List name, title and phone numbers] 
  
 
 
 
 
24 hours Emergency Telephone Number: [emergency phone number] 
Ask for the [PreHospital Research Coordinator] on call 
 
Researcher’s Statement 
 
We are asking you to be in a research study. The purpose of this consent form is to give you the information 
you will need to help you decide whether to continue to be in the study or not. Please read the form carefully. 
You may ask questions about the purpose of the research, what we would ask you to do, the possible risks 
and benefits, your rights as a volunteer, and anything else about the research or this form that is not clear. 
When we have answered all your questions, you can decide if you want to continue to be in the study or not. 
This process is called “informed consent”. We will give you a copy of this for your records. 
If you are unable to provide written informed consent, a legally authorized representative (LAR) may consent 
on your behalf to continue to take part in this study.   
Purpose of the Study 
Bodily injury from a physical force to the head can damage brain cells and blood vessels, which may cause 
bleeding in the head. Emergency treatment is given to protect the brain cells that were not injured from 
damage caused by interruptions in the blood supply.  
Tranexamic Acid (TXA) is a medication commonly given to control bleeding. This study compares the 
effectiveness of two methods used for giving TXA as early as possible following head injury. The two parts of 
this study are:  
1. How effective is the medication during the early time period after the injury? 
2. How effective is the medication 6 months after injury? 
When medics determined your head was injured, a decision was quickly made to enroll you in this study. 
Special permission has been granted by our review board here, the [name of IRB/REB] (IRB/REB), the Food 
and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command 
(USAMRMC) Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) to enroll subjects in this study without their prior 
consent due to the emergency nature of their injury. The IRB, FDA, Health Canada and HRPO oversee the 
safety of subjects in medical research. 
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This study will enroll 963 patients at 10 sites across the United States and Canada. The study will enroll 
approximately [xx] patients here in [city/county]. One third of the patients will receive the traditional method of 
receiving TXA, one third will receive a modified method, and one third will receive only a salt water solution 
with no active medication.  
Study Procedures 
If you (or patient’s LAR) agree to continue in this study, your medical and surgical care will not be changed. 
You were enrolled in this study by the medics who first cared for you and brought you to the hospital. Because 
the situation was potentially life-threatening, medics provided emergency life support interventions for airway, 
breathing and circulation. Afterward they observed physical symptoms of head injury that made you eligible for 
this study. Medics performed all clinically necessary treatments and procedures considered to be standard of 
care. In addition, medics opened a package that contained either a vial of 1 gram TXA, a vial of 2 grams TXA 
or a vial of salt water, which they mixed into a bag of intravenous fluid. This bag of fluid was given to you 
immediately through a tube connected to a catheter inserted into a vein.  
The package and vial were designed so that the exact contents of the vial could not be known by the medics. 
The packages were organized in a randomly assigned order and labeled with numbers linked to a list of the 
vial content that is not available to the medic. This method ensured that the vial the medics used for you was 
the result of chance, like flipping a coin.  
When you arrived at the hospital, the prehospital study drug kit number was given to the study research staff. 
The research staff used the kit number to access the list that links the number to the vial needed to administer 
the in-hospital infusion. The direct care providers do not have access to information about the content of the 
vial unless the doctor determines it is necessary. In this manner, the pharmacist or nurse will mix the blinded 
vial containing either 1 gram TXA or salt water in a second bag of intravenous fluid. This second bag is given 
slowly over 8 hours. Once the second bag of study drug is finished, you do not receive another. This study 
treatment is performed in addition to all clinically necessary treatments and procedures considered to be 
standard of care.  
Blood samples for research testing (about 2 tablespoons each) are collected on arrival to the hospital and at 6, 
12, 24, and 48 hours, if you are still in the hospital at that time. The special blood samples for this study will be 
shipped to the Trauma Research Institute of Oregon, Oregon Health & Science University and used to look at: 
1. How your body reacted to the injury 
2. How your blood is clotting (or clumping together) 
3. How your body has reacted to the fluids and treatments you received  
4. Tests in the future not yet known at this time (No genetic testing will be done for this study. We will ask for 
your consent to perform genetic testing at another time for a separate study.)  
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head injury and blood clotting factors. The specimens will be 
stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such that your (the patient’s) identity will not be able to be 
known. 
Your hospital records will be reviewed. Information will be collected such as procedures, tests, complications 
and vital signs. Head CT and MRI scans will also be sent via a secure electronic file transfer protocol to the 
Trauma Research Institute of Oregon, Oregon Health & Science University and maintained in an imaging 
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repository for future analyses. These scans will be stored in a de-identifiable manner such that your (the 
patient’s) identity will not be able to be known.   
If you were transferred to another hospital setting, we will ask for your permission to contact that facility to 
follow up on your progress. You will need to sign an additional HIPAA form to allow us permission to contact 
the other hospital and get your medical information.    
Immediately prior to being discharged from the hospital, research staff will ask you to answer questions about 
your ability to perform regular daily activities. With your permission, we will also contact you by phone one 
month after you are discharged to home. At that time we will confirm your contact information and remind you 
about the final phone call at 6 months following your injury. This final phone call will take approximately 30 
minutes. We will ask you to compare your ability to perform regular daily activities before your injury and after 
your injury.  For example we will ask you about eating, drinking and personal hygiene activities, like washing 
your face and brushing your teeth. Your care giver or family member may respond to these questions for you. 
You have the right to refuse to answer any of the questions.   
 
Risks, Stress, or Discomfort 
Participation in this study may involve some added risks or discomforts, although TXA is now being used in 
many hospitals and many countries safely to treat bleeding problems.  
Adverse events might include: 
1. Too much TXA is given - if the amount given is too large you may experience eyesight disturbances, 
nausea, vomiting, seizures. These are very rare and the dose given for this trial have not been known 
to cause those problems. 
2. TXA given too quickly - If the amount of medication is given too quickly you may experience low blood 
pressure which may cause decreased blood flow to your head. When you have a head injury 
this may be associated with complications and a possible risk of death. The TXA in this study is diluted 
and given over a period of time to decrease the chances of this happening. 
3. Any dose – TXA increase the risk of blood clots to vital organs. If this occurs, the medication will be 
stopped immediately.  
4. Skin irritation at the site of infusion or a rash due to a minor allergic reaction with no effects on your 
blood pressure or heart rate. 
5. You may have an allergic reaction to the TXA (including severe immediate reactions) as is possible with 
any drug.   
6. Whenever personal information is collected, there is always the potential that someone who is not 
authorized by this consent form may see your information. However, steps will be taken to minimize this 
risk. 
 
If you suffer any injury as a result of this study, please understand that nothing has been arranged to provide 
free treatment at [insert site name] or any other type of payment. However, all facilities, emergency treatment 
and professional services will be available for your use just as they are to the community in general.  
If you have had any injury, bad effect, or any other unusual health experience you think may be from the study, 
make sure you tell the nurses or the study investigator, [Dr. Doctor at (123) 123-4567].  
 
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(OR use the wording below for Canadian sites in this form)  
By signing the consent form, you do not give up any of your legal rights and you do not release the study 
doctor or other participating institutions from their legal and professional duties. There will be no cost to you for 
the participation in this study. You will not be charged for any research procedures. If you become ill or 
physically injured as a result of participation in this study, medical treatment will be provided at no additional 
cost to you. The costs of your medical treatment will be paid by your provincial medical plan. You will not 
receive any payment for participation in this study. 
If you have had any injury, bad effect, or any other unusual health experience you think may be from the study, 
make sure you tell the nurses or the study investigator, [Dr. Doctor at (123) 123-4567].  
 
Alternatives to Taking Part in This Study 
The best known emergency care was given to you by the medics.!There are no alternative treatments for your 
head injury except to withdraw from continued participation in the study.  You can stop at any time without 
penalty or loss of benefits.  Whether you choose to be in this study, or choose not to be in this study, will not 
affect your health care here at [insert hospital name].  If you do refuse continued participation, we will not 
collect any more data from you.  Information about your treatment that transpired up to the date and time of 
your treatment will still be collected.  
 
Benefits 
You may not directly benefit from this study. We cannot guarantee that there will be any benefit to you. The 
study may determine there is no benefit from either dose of TXA compared to salt water. It is not yet known 
that TXA provides a benefit.  However, you may benefit from the study if you receive TXA and it proves to be 
effective.  
If TXA proves to be effective, the potential benefits for society are: 
• 
Giving TXA as early as possible after head injury could help patients recover more fully after moderate 
to severe head injury. 
• 
One dose of TXA 2 grams given early may help decrease bleeding in the head better than one dose of 
TXA 1 gram given early and followed by a second dose of TXA 1 gram given over 8 hours. 
 
Other Information  
The U.S. Department of Defense is providing grants funds for this study. 
A description of this clinical trial will be available on http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, as required by U.S. 
Law.  This Web site will not include information that can identify you.  At most, the Website will include a 
summary of the results.  You can search this Website at any time. 
Regardless of whether or not you choose to continue in this study, you will receive the same level of care.  
Withdrawing from further participation in the study has no effect on how you will be treated by the doctors 
currently providing care. 
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Information available up to the point you decide not to continue participation will be retained for the study. You 
have the right to change your mind about participating in this study at any time.  If you do change your mind, 
you may contact [name of study coordinator and phone number] or tell the doctor or nurse providing your care. 
Cost, compensation, and reimbursement 
There is no cost to you for participating in this study. You or your insurance will be responsible for all standard 
of care charges. You will not be charged for lab tests performed strictly for research purposes.  
There will be no payment to you for taking part in this research study.  
If you received a bill that you believe is related to your taking part in this research study, please contact [insert 
PI name] at [insert PI contact number] with questions. 
 
Confidentiality 
 
Please understand that representatives of the FDA, the [name of local IRB/REB], the National Institute of 
Health (NIH), the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and the Resuscitation Outcomes 
Consortium (ROC) may review your research and/or medical records for the purposes of verifying research 
data, and will see personal identifiers.  However, identifying information will not appear on records retained by 
the sponsor, with the exception of treatment and service dates.  You will not be personally identified in any 
reports or publications that may result from this study.  These records will be retained for [XX] years.   
 
We do make every effort to keep the information about you confidential. You have been assigned a code 
number. This code number is used on all of the data we collected. A key linking you to the code number is kept 
locked in a secure location and will be available only to the local site investigators. Once this study is 
completed, this key will be destroyed.  
To help protect your privacy, we have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institutes of 
Health.  With this Certificate, researchers cannot be forced to disclose information that may identify you, even 
by a court subpoena, in any federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceedings.  Researchers will use the Certificate to resist any demands for information that would identify 
you, except as explained below. 
 
The Certificate cannot be used to resist a demand for information from personnel of the United States 
Government that is used for auditing or evaluation for Federally funded projects or for information that must be 
disclosed in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
You should understand that a Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you or a member of your family 
from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your Involvement in this research.  If an insurer, 
employer, or other person obtains your written consent to receive research information, then the researchers 
may not use the Certificate to withhold that information. 
 
 
 
Exceptions: 
A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent researchers from voluntarily disclosing information about you, 
without your consent in incidents such as child abuse, and intent to harm yourself or others. 
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There is a separate section in this consent form that you will be asked to sign which details the use and 
disclosure of your protected health information.  
 
(OR use the wording below for sites which include the HIPAA language in this form)  
AUTHORIZATION TO USE AND DISCLOSE INFORMATION FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES  
The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires [use either “your health care 
provider” or the actual name of the entity holding the health records] to obtain your permission for the research 
team to access or create protected health information about you for purposes of this research study. Protected 
health information is information that personally identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future 
physical or mental health condition or care. We will access or create health information about your relative, as 
described in this document, for purposes of this research study [if applicable, add: and for your treatment]. 
Once [use either “your health care provider” or the actual name of the entity, as above] has disclosed your 
relative’s protected health information to us, it may no longer be protected by the Federal HIPAA privacy 
regulations, but we will continue to protect your relative’s confidentiality. 
 
We may share your health information related to this study with other parties including U.S. and Canadian 
government regulatory, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command  and other funding agencies, an 
independent research medical monitor, the [insert local IRB/REB], and the Resuscitation Outcomes 
Consortium (ROC) at the University of Washington. ROC is an emergency medicine clinical trial network which 
is coordinating this research. 
 
You cannot continue to participate in this study unless you permit us to use your protected health information. 
If you choose not to allow us to use your protected health information, we will discuss any non-research 
alternatives available to you. Your decision will not affect your right to medical care that is not research-related. 
Your signature on this Consent Document authorizes [use “your health care provider” or the actual name of the 
entity, as above] to give us permission to use or create health information about you.  
 
Although you may not be allowed to see study information until after this study is over, you may be given 
access to your health care records by contacting your health care provider. Your permission for us to access or 
create protected health information about you for purposes of this study has no expiration date. You may 
withdraw your permission for us to use your health information for this research study by contacting [PI name] 
at [telephone number, fax number and address.] However, we may still use your health information that was 
collected before withdrawing your permission. Also, if we have sent your health information to a third party, 
such as the study sponsor, or we have removed your identifying information, it may not be possible to prevent 
its future use. You will receive a copy of this signed document.  
 
The [insert name of the entity holding the health records] generally requires that we document in your medical 
record chart that you are taking part in this study. The information included in the chart will provide contact 
information for the research team as well as information about the risks associated with this study. We will 
keep the Informed Consent Document in our research files; and a copy [will/will not, based on local policies] be 
placed in your medical record chart. 
To help protect your privacy, we have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institutes of 
Health.  With this Certificate, researchers cannot be forced to disclose information that may identify you, even 
by a court subpoena, in any federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceedings.  Researchers will use the Certificate to resist any demands for information that would identify 
you, except as explained below. 
 
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The Certificate cannot be used to resist a demand for information from personnel of the United States 
Government that is used for auditing or evaluation for Federally funded projects or for information that must be 
disclosed in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
You should understand that a Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you or a member of your family 
from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your Involvement in this research.  If an insurer, 
employer, or other person obtains your written consent to receive research information, then the researchers 
may not use the Certificate to withhold that information. 
 
Exceptions: 
A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent researchers from voluntarily disclosing information about you, 
without your consent in incidents such as child abuse, and intent to harm yourself or others. 
For additional information about this study, please visit our website at [local study web site link]. If you have 
questions regarding your rights related to participation in this study, you may contact the [name of local 
IRB/REB and phone number].  
Data from this study may be reported in scientific meetings, articles or other appropriate communications 
without your identification information. 
If, during the course of the study, new information becomes available, we will provide it to you. 
A copy of this consent will be placed in your medical record.   
Date___________________     
 
Investigator’s Name________________________________________ 
                                                  
 Investigator’s Signature________________________________________ 
 
Subject’s Statement 
The study described above has been explained to me.  I have had an opportunity to ask questions. If I have 
any other questions in the future about the research I can contact one of the Investigators listed on the first 
page.  If I have any questions about my rights as a research subject, I can call the [name of local IRB/REB and 
phone number]. 
You were enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject or the subject’s legally authorized 
representative can be obtained.   
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop being a part of this study at any time. If you choose to 
stop taking part in this study, no additional information will be collected. The information collected up to the 
time you chose to stop being in the study will remain in the research database and will be included in the data 
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analysis. The information we collect for the study is coded to protect privacy. You will not be personally 
identified in any reports. 
 
If you choose to voluntarily consent to continue in this study, please check the yes box and sign below. If you 
choose to withdraw from taking part in this study, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to continue to participate in this study including participating in a phone 
                call survey 6 months after my injury to assess my recovery. 
 
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head injury and blood clotting factors.!If you choose to 
voluntarily consent for your blood to continue to be stored for future testing, please check the yes box and sign 
below. If you choose for your blood to not be stored for future testing, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to have my blood that was collected for this study stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                            that the my identity will not be able to be known. 
 
I have received a copy of this consent. 
Date___________________  
 
Subject’s Name_________________________________________ 
     
Subject’s Signature______________________________________                    
 
 Parental Signature (if subject is a minor) ____________________________________ 
Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) Consent 
Because the patient is unable to sign due to the nature of his/her illness, I am the legal guardian representing 
his/her wishes regarding continued participation in this study.  I have had the opportunity to ask questions. If I 
have questions about the research, I may contact one of the Investigators listed on the first page.  If I have any 
questions about the patient’s rights as a research subject, I can call the [name of local IRB/REB and phone 
number]. 
The patient was enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject or the subject’s legally authorized 
representative can be obtained.   
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop the patient’s being a part of this study at any time. If 
you choose to stop the patient’s taking part in this study, no additional information will be collected. The 
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information collected up to the time you chose to stop the patient’s participation will remain in the research 
database and will be included in the data analysis. The information we collect for the study is coded to protect 
privacy. The patient will not be personally identified in any reports. 
 
If you choose to voluntarily consent for the patient to continue in this study, please check the yes box and sign 
below. If you choose to withdraw the patient from taking part in this study, please check the no box and sign 
below.  
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree for him/her to continue to participate in this study including participating in a phone 
                call survey 6 months after his/her injury to assess my recovery. 
  
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head injury blood clotting factors.!If you choose to voluntarily 
consent for the patient’s blood to continue to be stored for future testing, please check the yes box and sign 
below. If you choose for the patient’s blood to not be stored for future testing, please check the no box and sign 
below.  
 
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to have his/her blood that was used for this study to be stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                            that the patient’s identity will not be able to be known. 
 
I have received a copy of this consent. 
Date______________  
Legally Authorized Representative_________________________________ 
                   
Signature Legally Authorized Representative______________________________________ 
For subjects and/or LAR who are unable to read and/or sign, I witness this consent. 
Date__________________    
 
Witness Name__________________________________________ 
                                            
Witness Signature_________________________________________ 
Subject Consent Form if LAR or family previously consented or the subject is a minor and assent is 
obtained prior to hospital discharge:  
 
 
You were enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
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patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject’s legally authorized representative can be 
obtained.   
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop being a part of this study at any time. If you choose to 
stop taking part in this study, no additional information will be collected. The information collected up to the 
time you chose to stop being in the study will remain in the research database and will be included in the data 
analysis. The information we collect for the study is coded to protect privacy. You will not be personally 
identified in any reports. 
 
This document contains the consent form signed by your legally authorized representative for your review. The 
consent form describes the study, (purpose, procedures, risks, benefits) in detail. Please feel free to ask any 
questions about this study or the consent form.  
 
If you choose to voluntarily consent continue in this study, please check the yes box and sign below. If you 
choose to stop taking part in this study, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to continue to participate in this study including participating in a phone 
                call survey 6 months after my injury to assess my recovery. 
 
Blood will be stored for future testing related to head and blood clotting factors.!If you choose to voluntarily 
consent for your blood to continue to be stored for future testing, please check the yes box and sign below. If 
you choose for your blood to not be stored for future testing, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to have my blood that was used for this study to be stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                           that my identity will not be able to be known. 
 
I have received a copy of the consent signed by my parent (if subject is a minor) or my Legally Authorized 
Representative and a copy of this Subject Consent Form. 
 
 
Subject Name:   ________________________ 
 
 
Subject’s Signature __________________________________    Date/Time _______________ 
 
 
Witness Signature ___________________________________  Date/Time ________________ 
 
CC: Subject’s Medical Record 
       Subject 
 
 
 
 
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Sample TXA Notification of Participation letter to family of subjects who died 
during the study 
 
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
________________________________________________________________________________ 
Month date, year 
 
Dear [_________], 
 
We understand this letter may come at a time that is difficult for your family and we offer our condolences for 
your loss. We are aware a death is often an unexpected event and may have devastating personal 
consequences. 
 
We want to inform you of the treatment your [son, daughter, husband, wife, (enter name)] received by [name of 
EMS service and hospital] from [month/date] through [month, date, year].  We want to assure you that your 
family member received the best medical care currently practiced for the treatment of traumatic injury. In 
addition to the standard treatments for trauma, your family member was entered into a research study. We are 
writing you now to inform you that this occurred. This was done without [his/her] prior consent because 
[he/she] required emergency care that could not be delayed to allow adequate consideration of informed 
consent.  
 
This study was reviewed and approved by [insert name of IRB/REB]  
 
[For those patients who died prior to having blood obtained for this research study, insert the following 
statement.] 
No further action on your part is required.  
 
[For those patients who had at least one blood sample obtained for this research study, insert the following 
statement.] 
Information about the study is included with this letter entitled: Study Information Sheet – Prehospital 
Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury. 
 
 
[Insert name of physician] is the physician responsible for the study in [Insert site/hospital name]. If you have 
any questions about the study, please contact us at the number provided or by contacting us at the address 
below: 
 [(xxx) yyy-yyyy]  
 [address]  
 
If you would like support and counseling for coping with your loss, you may call [Insert name and contact info 
of help line] 
 
We apologize for this intrusion.  
 
Respectfully, 
 
[Name, title, address, and contact information] 
 
 
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Study Information Sheet 
Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
 
 
Your family member was treated for injuries including a traumatic brain injury at [name of institution]. When 
he/she was being treated in the accident scene and in the emergency department, he/she was unconscious 
and/or unable to reliably talk with us about his/her wishes. During this time your family member was enrolled in 
a study called “Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury”. 
 
An Institutional Review Board (IRB)!or Canadian Research Ethics Boards (REB) at the [name of institution] has 
given us permission to do this study in which subjects are enrolled without their consent. This process is called 
exception from informed consent for emergency research. 
 
The purpose of this study is to determine if Tranexamic Acid (TXA) can help stop or slow the bleeding in the 
head after a traumatic injury compared to routine care. In this study subjects are randomly assigned (like 
flipping a coin) to get 1 of 2 doses of TXA or placebo, which is a salt water solution with no active medication. 
The dose of TXA is either an early dose of 2 grams TXA followed by placebo drip for 8 hours or split dose of 1 
gram TXA followed by 1 gram TXA drip for 8 hours or placebo dose followed by placebo drip for 8 hours. 
 
If time permitted, we may have collected and shipped blood samples to the Trauma Research Institute of 
Oregon, Oregon Health & Sciences University for research purposes and looked at information in their medical 
record; this information was recorded. The study is being done throughout the United States and Canada by an 
emergency medicine network called the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC), of which Dr. [enter PI 
name here] is a member. This study is funded by grants received from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, 
US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), and other funding agencies.  
 
Your family member’s participation in this study will help us to better understand trauma patients who 
experience traumatic brain injury and how we can improve the care of future trauma patients. Our study 
evaluates the usual care and procedures routinely performed in emergency centers throughout the United 
States and Canada. If you would like to know more about the study please contact [name of coordinator]] 
 
If you would like to discuss any of this further, please contact [Dr name] the doctor responsible for the study or 
the Research Nurse at [number here]. Also for information on a research subject’s rights and on how these 
studies are approved you can contact the [enter institution name here] Human subjects division at [enter 
contact information here].  
 
A description of this clinical trial will be available on http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, as required by U.S. 
Law.  This Web site will not include information that can identify you.  At most, the Website will include a 
summary of the results.  You can search this Website at any time. 
 
Consent for Blood to be Stored for Future Testing 
The patient was enrolled in a research study using an “emergency research consent waiver”. This process is 
regulated by federal and state laws. The emergency consent waiver allows researchers to screen and enroll 
patients with life-threatening medical conditions who cannot give informed consent and where study treatment 
may have to be started before informed consent from the subject or the subject’s legally authorized 
representative can be obtained.   
 
Study participation is voluntary. You may choose to stop the patient’s being a part of this study at any time.  
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The patient’s blood that was collected is being stored for future testing related to head injury and blood clotting 
factors. If you choose to voluntarily consent for the patient’s blood to continue to be stored for future testing, 
please check the yes box and sign below. If you choose for the patient’s blood to not be stored for future 
testing, please check the no box and sign below.  
 
 
€ Yes     € No     I agree to have his/her blood that was used for this study to be stored for  
 
 
    future testing. The specimens will be stored for future use in a de-identifiable manner such 
                            that his/her identity will not be able to be known. 
 
 
Date______________  
 
Legally Authorized Representative (LAR)_________________________________ 
                     
Signature Legally Authorized Representative______________________________________ 
 
For LAR who are unable to read and/or sign, I witness this consent. 
 
Date__________________    
 
Witness Name__________________________________________ 
                                            
Witness Signature_________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Appendix 3 
Amendment 1: Ancillary IRB Protocol and Consent 
 
Blood-Based Biomarkers of Injury and Outcome in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
 
A. BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE 
The public health implications of TBI cannot be overstated. At least 1.7 million people suffer TBI every year 
in the United States and over 50,000 people die.1 There are currently approximately 5.3 million people living in 
the U.S. that require long-term or even lifelong assistance due to TBI resulting in annual direct and indirect 
costs of over $76 billion.2-4 TBI also has a major impact on combat casualties and has been labeled the 
‘signature wound’ of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, representing an estimated 15-25% of all injuries sustained 
in 21st-century conflicts.5-7 Severe TBI is one of the leading causes of death in injured warfighters with a 
mortality of approximately 70%.8 Although our understanding of the pathophysiology of TBI has recently 
improved, these advances have failed to translate into a single successful clinical trial, and effective treatment 
of TBI remains one of the greatest unmet needs in public health.3 
In addition to lack of adequate methods for identifying and quantifying brain injury, establishing a reliable 
prognosis early after TBI is notoriously difficult. The International Mission on Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical 
Trials in TBI (IMPACT) utilized prospectively collected individual patient data from several trials in moderate or 
severe TBI to develop prognostic models from data available at admission.9,10 The strongest predictors of 
outcome were age, pupillary reactivity and GCS motor score (IMPACT Core Model score).11 Performance of 
the model improved by adding both CT characteristics and secondary insults (hypotension and hypoxia) to the 
Core Model (IMPACT Extended Model Score).12,13 The IMPACT Lab Model Score further improved upon the 
model by adding laboratory parameters (glucose and hemoglobin).14 These prognostic models are considered 
to provide adequate discrimination between patients with good and poor 6-month outcomes and are currently 
used in clinical practice to provide prognosis prediction to families of TBI patients. In an attempt to improve the 
predictive power of these models, the addition of brain-specific biomarkers to the model has been examined. 
Using the first biomarker level obtained after TBI, addition of GFAP and SBDP145 from 45 patients with severe 
TBI to the Core IMPACT Model was shown to increase the predictive power for 6-month lethal outcome, 
increasing the R2 from 0.214 for the Core Model alone to 0.700.15 
Immediately after moderate or severe TBI, excitotoxic, ischemic, oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic 
pathways are activated, resulting in neuronal and glial cell injury and death.16 Although numerous proteins are 
released from the injured brain into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and systemic circulation that could potentially 
be used as markers of cell damage after TBI, few have been characterized well enough for direct clinical use.17 
Unlike other organ-based diseases such as myocardial ischemia in which rapid serum-based biomarkers are 
invaluable to guide diagnosis and treatment, there are currently no definitive diagnostic neurochemical markers 
for quantification of the degree of injury after TBI, and the paucity of well-validated biomarkers for TBI remains 
a major limitation to the advancement of novel treatment approaches that could improve care. 
An ideal biomarker for TBI should be specific (exclusively found in the brain and accurately reflect the 
extent of brain injury), sensitive (highly abundant and easily detectable), and should measure therapeutic 
efficacy (reflect successful therapeutic intervention). There is a rapidly growing number of molecules that have 
been tested as potential biomarkers of TBI, however, to date no single molecule has proven sensitive and 
specific enough to be used clinically to predict the severity of brain injury or outcome after TBI. Of the 
molecules that have been tested, the best studied are neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100β protein, myelin 
basic protein, GFAP, αII-spectrin breakdown products (SBDPs), and UCH-L1.17-19 While NSE was originally 
thought to be promising as a neuronal biomarker, it was later shown to be present in red blood cells and 
platelets leading to confounded results in hemolyzed blood samples.20 Furthermore, NSE has been shown to 
be elevated in trauma in the absence of TBI.21 S100β is also found outside the CNS and is also influenced by 
extracranial injuries leading to low specificity.22 Myelin basic protein is one of the most abundant proteins in the 
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white matter representing 30% of the protein content of myelin.23 While it has been studied as a marker in non-
accidental pediatric trauma, there is no evidence to support its use as a diagnostic biomarker for focal and 
diffuse TBI. We have chosen to examine UCH-L1, GFAP and SBDP150 in this proposal based on their ability 
to fit the criteria for an ideal biomarker defined above as well as the strength of evidence suggesting that each 
biomarker reflects specific structural injury and predicts outcome, making them highly promising candidate 
biomarkers for TBI. 
Biomarkers may provide mechanistic insight and measure treatment effect of TXA  
The interventional drug being examined in the Phase II parent trial for this study is tranexamic acid (TXA). 
TXA is an anti-fibrinolytic medication that inhibits the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin.24 There have been 
two randomized controlled trials examining the use of TXA in patients with moderate and severe TBI.25,26 Both 
trials utilized a different dosing regimen and both demonstrated statistical trends toward decreased progression 
of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and mortality in patients receiving TXA compared to placebo. As a result, the 
authors concluded that further large-scale clinical trials are needed to assess the effect of TXA on death and 
disability in patients with TBI. No studies to date have examined the pharmacokinetic profile of TXA use in TBI 
and there is currently no available method to measure therapeutic efficacy for TXA treatment in patients with 
TBI. Although biomarkers have not been previously measured in patients receiving TXA, the established 
relationship between these specific biomarkers and outcome after acute TBI suggests that they could provide a 
sound method to monitor response to treatment. Furthermore, based on the differential release patterns of 
these biomarkers and their relationship to injury pattern, relative changes in biomarker levels in response to 
treatment has the potential to provide insight into the mechanism of action of TXA in TBI, which is currently 
unknown. 
While several mechanisms have been proposed to be responsible for the lower mortality and reduction in 
ICH growth observed in clinical trials of TXA in TBI, the mechanism involved has not been examined.27 The 
design of the parent trial for this study will examine the effect of TXA on fibrinolytic and thrombin generation 
pathways to begin to understand the mechanism; however, preliminary data suggest that TXA may act by 
reducing the neurotoxic effects of plasmin, independent of its effect on fibrinolysis. Plasmin has been 
associated with potentiation of thrombin-induced neurotoxicity, degradation of the extracellular matrix, 
increased blood brain barrier permeability and development of cerebral edema.28 Importantly, recent animal 
data suggest that TXA may prevent this neurotoxicity.29,30 While neither the parent trial nor this study will be 
able to thoroughly examine the mechanism of TXA in patients with TBI, identification of the relative pattern of 
biomarker changes in this study in response to TXA treatment could provide important insight to inform future 
studies that will be undertaken with the sample repository already planned in the parent trial as well as the 
genomic and transcriptomic repository proposed in this study. 
In addition to its sensitivity and specificity, the ability of a biomarker to serve as a measure of therapeutic 
efficacy is an important criteria for it to be clinically useful. In order to interpret a biomarker response to 
treatment, an understanding of the pK profile for TXA is needed. While the pK profile for TXA following IV 
infusion has been described in other populations, it is unknown whether this is altered when TXA is 
administered via bolus or continuous infusion in patients with TBI.31-33 Additionally, the optimal TXA dosing 
regimen for patients with TBI is not known and no consensus exists about the ideal targeted plasma 
concentrations needed to inhibit fibrinolyisis. As a result, the parent clinical trial for this study was designed to 
include 2 different dosing arms of TXA compared to placebo (arm one: 1-gram bolus followed by 1-gram 
infusion; arm two: 2-gram bolus followed by placebo infusion, arm three: placebo bolus and placebo infusion). 
It is important to note that the analysis for the primary endpoint (GOS-E at 6 months) of the parent trial will be a 
comparison of both treatment arms combined compared to placebo. For these reasons, the association 
between the pK profiles, biomarker levels and clinical outcome are needed to interpret the biomarker response 
to treatment as well as to inform the results of the parent trial. As an example, if a longer half-life is shown to 
be associated with a favorable biomarker profile, this would potentially suggest a benefit for redosing or 
extending the TXA infusion period. Alternatively, if the higher maximum concentration achieved in the 2-gram 
bolus arm is associated with a favorable biomarker profile, this would help inform the most efficacious dosing 
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regimen in the future. The opportunity to examine the biomarker response in the two different dosing arms of 
this trial with the associated pK profile will enable us to determine if these candidate biomarkers can be used 
as a measure of treatment effect for TXA in patients with TBI and potentially incorporate them in a follow-up 
phase III trial for this purpose. 
Creation of a genomic and transcriptomic repository for future biomarker development 
While the biomarkers of structural brain injury proposed in this study are the most promising markers of TBI 
currently available, there remains an incomplete understanding of post-injury cellular and molecular changes 
after TBI.34 Examination of RNA and DNA expression is rapidly increasing the ability to examine molecular 
changes after TBI. As an example, MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that modulate protein 
expression by antagonizing mRNA translation that have a powerful role in the regulation of gene expression 
and cellular function.35 Because a single miRNA can block translation of many mRNAs, they are very potent 
regulators at the network level. Thus, global patterns of change in both the injured tissue as well as the 
circulation can be determined. Recent miRNA microarray studies indicate that pathways such as apoptosis, 
inflammation and cell proliferation are among the most commonly affected in CNS injuries, and that changes in 
these pathways are conserved across CNS injuries to stroke.36 This type of information is crucial to providing 
insight into therapeutic targets for future TBI trials. Because miRNA levels are altered after TBI and these 
changes have a profound effect on downstream targets, restoration and inhibition of miRNA activity presents 
the opportunity to modulate these cellular processes. In order to realize the potential for miRNA, validation of 
findings from animal models will need to be performed in large human samples. By creating a repository of 
miRNA, mRNA and DNA from patients with TBI very early after injury, future investigators will have the 
opportunity to further explore both miRNA-based and genome-based therapies and potentially improve 
outcome after TBI. It is important that we leverage the significant resources already committed for this large 
clinical trial now, in order to support a broad-range of studies in the future that could lead to potentially lead to 
new biomarkers and new treatment targets for TBI. 
 
B. SPECIFIC AIMS 
Specific Aim 1: To determine if initial values, or trends in serially measured circulating brain-specific 
biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) are associated with the presence of intracranial hemorrhage 
(ICH), TBI pattern and severity, and long-term outcome after moderate or severe acute TBI. 
Hypothesis 1.1: Elevated biomarker levels measured within 2 hours of TBI are associated with ICH on initial 
computed tomography (CT) scan and less favorable Rotterdam and Marshall CT classification scores. 
Hypothesis 1.2: Biomarkers that remain elevated or subsequently increase during the first 48 hours after injury 
are associated with ICH progression and a less favorable outcome as measured by the GOS-E at 6 months. 
The primary aim examines whether elevated biomarker levels accurately identify the presence of ICH, as 
well as the specific pattern (focal versus diffuse) and severity of TBI. It will also determine if sustained 
biomarker levels or an increasing trajectory of early biomarker levels reflect worsening ICH and unfavorable 
outcome. These data would be extremely valuable to determine clinically relevant endpoints including 
identification of appropriate patients for inclusion into clinical TBI trials and targeting patients for more intensive 
intervention.  
 
Specific Aim 2: To determine if circulating brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) are 
associated with treatment arm allocation, serum TXA level, and long-term outcome as measured by the 
GOS-E 6 months after injury in moderate or severe acute TBI. 
Hypothesis 2.1: In TXA treated patients compared to placebo, decreased circulating biomarkers measured 
serially during the first 48 hours after TBI are associated with a favorable long-term outcome.  
Hypothesis 2.2: In TXA treated patients, serum TXA levels are inversely associated with circulating biomarkers 
and directly associated with long-term outcome. 
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The secondary aim examines whether serum TXA levels are associated with circulating biomarkers. If early 
biomarker levels are shown to be a measure of treatment response, this would inform future treatment 
paradigms for the use of TXA in TBI. By identifying patients who benefit most from TXA treatment and 
quantifying the treatment response, these biomarkers could impact treatment decisions. Knowledge of the 
pharmacokinetic and biomarker profiles associated with a favorable outcome would help establish the optimal 
dosing regimen for future clinical trials, including a follow-up phase III trial to the Prehospital Tranexamic Acid 
Use for Traumatic Brain Injury (Prehospital TXA for TBI) Trial. 
Specific Aim 3: To determine if circulating brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) 
improve long-term outcome prediction after moderate or severe acute TBI. 
Hypothesis 3: Elevated circulating biomarkers measured within 2 hours of TBI improve outcome prediction as 
measured by the Disability Rating Scale (DRS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) at 6 months. 
The tertiary aim incorporates biomarker and clinical data obtained early after injury in patients enrolled in 
the control arm of a large prehospital clinical trial to determine if adding biomarkers to the well-validated 
IMPACT core model (including age, GCS motor score, pupillary reactivity) improves 6-month outcome 
prediction. This would provide a basis to inform treatment decisions and inclusion criteria for enrollment in 
future clinical trials. 
In addition to the aims above, we propose to leverage the resources of this large clinical trial to create a 
genomic and transcriptomic specimen repository from sequential time points very early after injury in patients 
enrolled in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial. This unique repository from patients with moderate or severe TBI 
will allow future examination of systemic genomic and transcriptomic changes that occur after TBI. Future 
studies resulting from this repository have the potential to provide diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic 
insight that would significantly advance the understanding of the pathophysiology of TBI. 
 
C. INNOVATION 
The Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial is the first large clinical trial to randomize patients to receive a potential 
therapeutic drug for moderate or severe TBI in the prehospital setting within 2 hours of injury. Approximately 
1000 patients will be enrolled at 10 centers across the US and Canada under an FDA Exception from Informed 
Consent to determine if early administration of TXA is effective for improving outcome measured 6 months 
after injury. Because patients will be randomized by first-responders at the injury scene and followed for 6 
months, this provides a unique opportunity to validate the most promising brain-specific serum biomarkers. 
This will be the first study to prospectively examine the diagnostic and prognostic value of circulating brain-
specific biomarkers measured very early after injury in patients enrolled in the prehospital setting of a large 
randomized controlled trial of moderate and severe TBI. While studies have shown that biomarkers of 
structural brain injury measured in serum are associated with outcome after TBI, they are not yet established 
for clinical use to reliably detect and assess the degree of brain injury or predict outcome. With this study we 
will be able to refine the diagnosis of TBI to enable early identification of specific patterns of brain 
injury that can be linked to appropriate therapeutic interventions for targeted inclusion into clinical 
trials. Furthermore, we may expand upon existing prediction models to support both clinical practice 
and TBI research, including the design and analysis of randomized trials. In addition, we may also for 
the first time establish brain-specific biomarkers as an effective method of monitoring response to 
treatment in TBI that could have widespread use both clinically and in interventional TBI trials. Each of 
these aims will contribute to the success of future clinical trials in TBI including the follow-up phase III trial of 
the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial. Finally, by leveraging the resources of this large clinical trial to obtain 
specimens very early after injury, we will create the first large repository integrating genomic and transcriptomic 
information with comprehensive clinical, laboratory and imaging data from patients with moderate and severe 
TBI. This repository will serve to expand TBI related research to support new biomarker development as well 
as a broad range of studies that will significantly advance our understanding of the pathophysiology of TBI. 
 
 
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D. STUDY DESIGN 
The proposed study to examine the relationship between serum levels of biomarkers of structural brain 
injury and clinical outcome will be carried out in the cohort of approximately 1000 patients with moderate and 
severe TBI enrolled in the Prehospital TXA for TBI clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01990768). This 
clinical trial will be conducted using the infrastructure of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC). ROC 
is a multicenter network funded by federal organizations in the United States and Canada (including the DoD 
and NHLBI) to conduct clinical trials targeting cardiac arrest and life-threatening trauma.37 The Prehospital 
Tranexamic Acid for Traumatic Brain Injury Trial will be the 11th prehospital randomized trial conducted by 
ROC and the third trial in patients with TBI. The following is a brief overview of the trial. 
The Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II multicenter trial in 
which approximately 1000 patients with moderate or severe TBI will be randomized (1:1:1) to one of three 
arms: 
• 
1-gram TXA prehospital bolus followed by an in-hospital 1-gram 8 hour infusion 
• 
2-gram TXA prehospital bolus followed by an in-hospital placebo infusion 
• 
Placebo prehospital bolus followed by an in-hospital placebo infusion 
The following are the primary inclusion criteria and outcome measures for the parent trial: 
Inclusion criteria: 
• 
Blunt and penetrating traumatic mechanism of injury consistent with TBI  
• 
Prehospital GCS ≤ 12 prior to administration of sedative and/or paralytic agents with at least one 
reactive pupil 
• 
Pre-hospital systolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg 
• 
Estimated time from injury to hospital arrival of < 2 hours 
Primary outcome: 
• 
Disability at 6 months based on the GOS-E  
Secondary outcomes: 
• 
Clinical outcomes: neurologic outcome at discharge, 28-day survival, frequency of neurosurgical 
interventions, ventilator-free, ICU-free, and hospital-free days 
• 
Radiographic outcomes: intracranial hemorrhage progression, Marshall CT and Rotterdam CT 
classification scores 
• 
Safety outcomes (seizures, cerebral ischemic events, myocardial infarction, deep venous 
thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) 
• 
Mechanistic outcomes (coagulation pathway mediator analysis and viscoelastic testing using 
thromboelastography [TEG]) 
Integration of this biomarker study with the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
The inclusion criteria for this study will be the same as the inclusion criteria for the Prehospital TXA for TBI 
clinical trial. Eligible patients must be at least 15 years old and have a GCS of 12 or less with at least one 
reactive pupil. Patients with hypotension, cardiopulmonary arrest or seizures prior to randomization will be 
excluded. The Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial will enroll patients in the prehospital setting and precludes the 
ability to obtain informed consent at the time of enrollment. The trial qualifies for the “Exception From Informed 
Consent Required for Emergency Research” outlined in FDA regulation 21CFR50.24. The Institutional Review 
Board (IRB) for the ROC Clinical Trials Center at the University Of Washington has reviewed and approved the 
informed consent procedures for the parent trial. Additional sites (including the OHSU Clinical Site and Clinical 
Coordinating Center) have contingent IRB approval and are ready to begin community consultation. The 
remaining clinical sites are in the process of obtaining IRB approval. In order to seamlessly integrate the 
biomarker component of the protocol into the parent study, it has been incorporated into the required 
community consultation presentations. Consent for this ancillary study will be incorporated as follows: 
Consent for non-genetic biomarker tests 
The parent TXA Study consent includes language that allows for future use of blood to be collected (non-
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genetic). No additional specimen collection or consent is needed for the brain-specific biomarkers and the pK 
studies as outlined in the specific aims. 
Consent for the genomic and transcriptomic repository 
A separate consent and additional blood collection is required for creation of the genomic and transcriptomic 
specimen repository. A consent form has been created that specifically relates to this repository and is 
separate from the overall TXA study consent. Participation in both studies will have two consent forms. 
Recruitment timeline for the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
Recruitment in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial is anticipated to begin in October 2014 based on 
completion of Community Consultation activities at each site. The trial is expected to enroll 1002 patients at 10 
clinical sites over a one-year period. Since all required regulatory and community consultation and notification 
for this ancillary study will be in place prior to funding, if funded during the current NIH cycle with this expedited 
funding timeline beginning December 1st 2014, enrollment for this study will approximately coincide with the 
beginning of enrollment for the parent trial. This will allow full biomarker and pK analyses as these samples will 
be collected as part of the parent trial. Depending on the start of the trial, the maximum number of patients 
eligible for the genomic and transcriptomic samples will range between 730 (based on an October 1st trial start 
date) and 886 (based on a November 1st start date). This will ensure a robust sample size for establishing the 
repository. 
Time points for sample collection 
We will use the biomarker levels obtained from the earliest time point (arrival to the ED) based on our 
preliminary data that showed a strong correlation between early biomarker measurements and outcome. 
Based on data from the ROC Hypertonic Saline Study, we anticipate that most of the initial blood samples will 
be obtained approximately 90 minutes after TBI.38 We will also measure biomarker levels at 6, 12, 24, and 48 
hours to examine the evolution of biomarker release in relation to outcome. We will measure the TXA pK 
profile at these same time points as the biomarker profile will be important in determining the response to TXA 
treatment. This will also help determine whether the effect of TXA treatment can be monitored by measuring 
biomarker levels during the first 48 hours after TBI, potentially establishing biomarkers as a routine method of 
determining effective treatment and guiding decisions related to additional interventions. 
Sample collection 
Biomarker and pK sample analysis will be done on blood already being collected as part of the main 
protocol. As a requirement for participation in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial, all sites will have research 
coordinators on-site 24 hours per day to ensure the initial blood sample is obtained as soon as possible after 
ED arrival, and to ensure the in-hospital TXA dose is administered in a timely fashion. All attempts will be 
made to obtain study samples at the pre-specified time intervals. Samples at times 0, 6, and 12 hours must be 
collected within +/- 30 minutes. Sampling at 24 and 48 hours will be collected within +/- 2 hours. In the event 
that samples cannot be collected in this time frame, documentation regarding the reason will be noted on the 
data collection forms. In addition to samples collected as part of the parent study, each subject will provide one 
blood sample collected in a PAXgene tube (2.5 mL) for RNA stabilization on arrival to the Emergency 
Department (time 0) and 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after study randomization. Another sample (3.0 mL) will be 
collected in an Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD) tube for preservation of genetic material at admission. All samples 
drawn for research purposes will be identified by the study number, the site identification number and date/time 
of collection. No personal identifying information will be included on the samples processed for research 
purposes. Samples from participating sites will be frozen, batched, and shipped to the OHSU Clinical 
Coordinating Center. OHSU will be the repository guardian for the samples and results. The procedures for 
collection for all samples including DNA and RNA preservation are currently being incorporated into the 
Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial Manual of Operations. Procedures for DNA and RNA specimen collection and 
processing will follow the “NINDS Repository Biomarkers Discovery Samples Resource Laboratory Manual 
Guidelines.”39 The OHSU Clinical Coordinating Center will manage initial sample storage and tracking. 
Samples for biomarker analysis will be shipped in batch to Dr. Papa’s laboratory at Orlando Regional Medical 
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Center. Specimens will be transported to the OHSU Bioanalytical Shared Resource/Pharmacokinetics Core for 
TXA pK analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. PAXgene (mRNA and miRNA) and 
ACD (DNA) collection vials will be transported to the Integrated Genomics Laboratory at OHSU for creation of 
the repository. 
Biomarker assays 
Banyan has extensive experience in assay development and validation including expertise in developing 
high-affinity antibodies to proteins. For the UCH-L1 assay, a mouse monoclonal antibody (as capture antibody) 
and a rabbit polyclonal antibody (as detection antibody) are used in combination with a commercially available 
anti-rabbit IgG-HRP (Amersham) as labeling antibody. The capture and detection antibody have been 
developed to full-length recombinant human UCH-L1 protein. A detailed description of the assay methods has 
been published by Dr. Papa.40 The GFAP and SBDP150 assays follow an identical outline, but employ different 
biomarker-specific capture and detection antibodies. For the GFAP assay, a mouse monoclonal antibody (as 
capture antibody) and rabbit polyclonal antibody (as detection antibody) are used. Capture and detection 
antibodies were generated to full-length human recombinant GFAP. The SBDP150 assay uses a goat 
polyclonal antibody as capture antibody and a mouse monoclonal horseradish peroxidase conjugated antibody 
as detection antibody. 
TXA pK profile analysis 
Two separate cohorts for the pK analysis will be established as described below: 
Extensive sampling cohort 
The first 100 patients enrolled at the OHSU clinical site will have blood drawn at the following time points 
based on the prehospital bolus TXA dose: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, and 48hrs. This will enable a robust pK 
profile to be established with greater confidence in estimated pK parameters. Serum will be isolated within 1 
hour of blood collection, frozen, and shipped to the OHSU shared Bioanalytical Core Laboratory for quantifying 
serum TXA levels using a highly sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay. 
Serum levels will be fitted against time to construct pK profiles and estimate PK parameters. The following PK 
parameters will be generated: area under the curve from time 0 to 48 hour (AUC0-48), AUC from 0 to infinity 
(AUC0-∞), maximum concentration (Cmax), time to Cmax (Tmax), half-life (t1/2), clearance (CL/F), volume of 
distribution (Vd/F). 
Limited sampling cohort 
Samples will be obtained from 5 time points for all patients (arrival to ED, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after study 
randomization). This limited sampling scheme will enable an estimate of PK parameters (with less confidence 
than in the extensive sampling group), with the exception of t1/2 which will remain robust. Analyses will focus on 
the extensive sampling cohort with the exception of t1/2 which will be extended to all subjects.  
 
E. ANALYSIS PLAN 
Analysis plan for the aims of this study: 
Hypothesis 1.1: Elevated biomarkers measured within 2 hours of TBI more accurately predict ICH and 
brain injury pattern and severity on initial computed tomography (CT) scan than GCS. 
As preliminary analyses, we will use logistic regression to examine whether initial levels of brain-specific 
biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) are associated with the presence of ICH on initial CT scan in subjects 
in the placebo arm. In patients with evidence of brain injury (Marshall score >1), we will also examine the 
association with mass lesions vs diffuse injury. 
To examine whether initial brain-specific biomarker levels (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) improve upon GCS 
in predicting presence of injury, we will create Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves that describe 
the sensitivity and specificity profiles of each individual biomarkers for predicting the presence of ICH on initial 
CT scan. We will compute the area under the ROC curve (AUC) as a summary measure of the predictive 
ability of each biomarker and compare it to the AUC based on the GCS alone. A confidence interval for the 
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difference in AUCs will be computed using Delong’s method.41 
To examine whether combinations of the initial brain-specific biomarker levels (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) 
improves upon GCS or whether one or more of these biomarkers together with GCS improves upon the GCS 
alone in predicting presence of injury or injury pattern, we will adopt a 10-fold cross-validation approach42 to 
develop multivariable predictive models based on combinations of biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers 
and GCS. Levels of the three biomarkers and the GCS will be candidate variables in these models, which will 
relate the probability of ICH outcome, p, to biomarkers and GCS and possibly their interactions x1, … xn, as 
follows: log(p/(1-p)) = b0 + b1x1 + … + b4xn. 
Without the need to reserve a separate validation data set, ten-fold cross-validation reduces the optimistic 
bias inherent in evaluating the AUC based on the same data used to fit the model since the evaluations 
depend on the tent of the data not used to fit the model. We will pick the best predictive model size based on 
the maximal cross-validated AUC estimate, and our final predictive model will be based on the model of this 
size that maximizes the likelihood for the full sample. Secondary analyses to obtain models with high clinical 
utility will use this same cross-validation approach to identify and evaluate good tree-based models using 
classification and regression tree (CART) methodology.43 We will also fit the predictive model to all subjects in 
the three treatment arms, and examine interaction terms that allow for different associations in the different 
arms. If no significant interactions are detected, we will develop a single predictive model using data from 
subjects in all treatment arms combined. 
Hypothesis 1.2: Biomarkers that remain elevated or subsequently increase during the first 48 hours 
after injury are associated with ICH progression and an increased 28-day mortality. 
Additional goals under Specific Aim 1 are to examine whether there are associations between trends in 
serial biomarker levels during the first 48 hours after injury and two outcomes: ICH progression and 28-day 
mortality. To examine these relationships we will treat the biomarker level as the outcome and use linear mixed 
models to account for the correlation of the multiple biomarker measurements within subjects. The mixed 
models will allow us to test whether both types of clinical measures are associated within-subject biomarker 
mean levels and slopes over time. 
Hypothesis 2.1: In TXA treated patients compared to placebo, decreased biomarkers measured serially 
during the first 48 hours after TBI are associated with a favorable long-term outcome.  
Preliminary analyses will use linear mixed models, as above, to examine whether treatment group is 
related to mean levels and subject-specific slopes in serial measurements of brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, 
UCH-L1, SBDP150) over the first 48 hours after injury. We will also examine whether favorable outcome of 
GOS-E at six months is related to mean levels and slopes in biomarkers within 48 hours of injury.  
Hypothesis 2.2: In TXA treated patients, serum TXA levels are inversely associated with circulating 
biomarker levels and directly associated with long-term outcome. 
In TXA-treated patients, we will use linear mixed models to examine whether pharmacokinetic (pK) 
parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax, T½, clearance, and Vd) are associated with mean levels and slopes of serial 
levels of brain-specific biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) during the first 48 hours after injury. Interaction 
terms with treatment group will allow us to test whether these associations differ by dosing regimen. We will 
also use logistic regression to examine whether pK parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax, t½, clearance, and Vd) in 
the two dose groups are associated with favorable clinical outcome at six months based on the GOS-E. We will 
then (with interaction terms) examine whether these associations differ by dosing regimen. 
Subsequent analyses will examine the extent to which serial biomarker levels during the first 48 hours after 
injury explain the association between PK parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax, t½, clearance, and Vd) and 6-
month GOS-E among those treated with TXA, and to what extent they explain the association between 
treatment group (placebo, bolus-only, and bolus plus infusion) and 6-month GOS-E. Taking the treatment 
group comparison as the example, we will fit logistic regression models relating dummy variables for the two 
treatment groups to the outcome of 6-month GOS-E < 5 both with and without adjustment for serial biomarker 
levels. We will then compare adjusted and unadjusted results from these models to estimate whether an 
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important proportion of the treatment differences are explained by the biomarker levels. One minus the ratios 
of these two coefficients will be used to estimate the proportion of the estimated association that is explained 
by the biomarkers. Confidence intervals for these explained proportions will be obtained using the bootstrap.44 
Similar analyses will examine to what extent the biomarkers explain the pK parameter- 6-month GOSE 
associations, after adjustment for and possible interaction with dosing regimen. 
Hypothesis 3: Elevated circulating biomarkers measured within 2 hours of TBI improve outcome 
prediction as measured by the DRS and GOS-E at 6 months. 
Among controls, we will relate initial brain-specific biomarker levels (GFAP, UCH-L1, SBDP150) to poor 
clinical outcome (GOS-E < 5) at six months by fitting logistic regression models. Using single-variable linear 
logistic models, preliminary descriptive analyses will compute the crude OR for poor outcome associated with a 
one standard deviation difference in the biomarker and a 95% confidence interval. 
To develop a multivariable predictive logistic model including brain-specific biomarkers that might improve 
upon the IMPACT Core Model,9,10 we will adopt a 10-fold cross-validation approach like the one to be used 
under the analysis for Specific Aim 1. All variables in the IMPACT Core model together with initial values of 
GFAP, UCH-L1, and SBDP150 and all squares of continuous variables two-way interactions between variables 
will be candidate variables for this model. As for analyses under Specific Aim 1, model size will be chosen by 
cross-validation, and the best final predictive model of that size will be identified from all the control-group 
subjects. Secondary analyses to obtain models with high clinical utility will also use this cross-validation 
approach to identify and evaluate good tree-based models using CART methodology. 
As an exploratory analysis, we will also fit our predictive model to the combined data including control-arm 
and treatment-arm subjects, and allow interactions between TXA treatment (placebo, bolus-only, and bolus 
plus infusion) and all variables in the predictive model from controls. Significant interaction terms in these 
models could be used to generate hypotheses about the types of patients who benefit most from treatment for 
examination in future trials. If no significant interactions are detected, we will develop a single predictive model 
to data from subjects in all treatment arms combined. 
Sample size justification 
The sample size for primary analyses for the TXA clinical trial is 963 eligible patients (321 per group) 
assuming (based on the ROC Hypertonic Saline (HS) Trial)38 4% of the 1002 target enrollment will have the 
treatment kit opened and not given. Based on prior experience in subjects with severe TBI (GCS ≤ 8) from the 
same clinical sites and hospitals for the TXA trial (that participated in the HS trial), head CT scans were 
obtained for more than 95% of subjects. In this cohort between 59% and 88% of subjects had a Marshall score 
> 1 (depending on site). We anticipate slightly lower rates in the TXA trial based on the eligibility criteria 
including both moderate and severe TBI (GCS ≤ 12). To calculate the power we will have to determine if a 
biomarker combined with GCS improves upon GCS alone as a predictor of ICH, we simulated the power to 
detect odds ratios for the association of a one standard deviation higher biomarker value in a logistic model 
that also includes GCS based on a control-group sample size of .90 × 321 = 289. Under a variety of 
correlations between GCS and biomarker ranging from +/- .1 to +/-.5, ORs for the association of a 1 SD lower 
GCS ranging from 1.2 to 2.0, and average probabilities of ICH ranging from .6 to .8, we consistently had 80% 
power or more to detect an OR of 1.5 associated with a one SD higher biomarker value (in some settings we 
had more than 80% power to detect an odds ratio of 1.4). These are consistent with ORs associated with these 
biomarkers that have been found in a number of smaller studies.45-48 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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43. Breiman L, Friedman J, Stone CJ et al.  Classification and regression trees.  New York: Chapman and 
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45. Mondello S, Akinyi L, Buki A et al.  Clinical utility of serum levels of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase as a 
biomarker for severe traumatic brain injury.  Neurosurgery. 2012;70:666-675. 
46. Mondello S, Papa L, Buki A et al.  Neuronal and glial markers are differently associated with computed 
tomography findings and outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a case control study.  Crit 
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Sample – Genetics Consent/Notification 
 
[Insert name of institution] 
 
Continued Participation Consent/Notification Form 
 
Blood-based Biomarkers of Brain Injury and Clinical Outcome in the Prehospital TXA for TBI Trial 
 
Investigators 
 
[List name, title and phone numbers] 
 
Sample – Genetic Clinical Research Consent and Authorization Form 
 
 
PURPOSE: 
 
“You” throughout this document refers either to yourself, as the patient, or the person for whom you are the 
legally authorized representative (LAR). You have been invited to be in this research study because you have 
a traumatic brain injury and were enrolled in the Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury 
study. The purpose of this study is to better understand if changes in brain chemicals in those with traumatic 
brain injury are associated with certain genes. We will investigate genetic factors that may affect how the brain 
reacts to traumatic injury. We hope that this information will allow us to better understand how genes affect a 
person’s response to traumatic brain injury.  
 
If a gene or genes can be found, treatment of traumatic brain injury may be improved.  
 
Genes are the units of DNA--the chemical structure carrying your genetic information--that determine many 
human characteristics such as the color of your eyes, your height, and whether you are male or female. 
 
Genetic markers used to identify individual’s response to brain injury have not been identified. Improved 
identification could save millions of dollars in healthcare costs and save thousands of lives. This study is 
important to design future care of those suffering from traumatic brain injury. 
 
The blood samples provided by you will be analyzed in the laboratory to determine whether there are 
differences in the genes of people who have a traumatic brain injury. 
 
This study will enroll approximately 1000 subjects across the United States and Canada. The study will enroll 
approximately 100 subjects here at [institution name]. 
 
 
PROCEDURES: 
!
You have been enrolled in this research study because you have had a traumatic brain injury and were 
enrolled in the Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury study. Blood is drawn for genetic 
testing when you arrive at the hospital and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours if you are still in the hospital. At each time 
point, about 1 teaspoon (5.5 mL) of blood is drawn. These samples will be used to look for changes to genes 
that happen after traumatic brain injury. Your permission is needed to keep any samples collected, and to draw 
any samples not already collected. 
 
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If you have any questions regarding this study now or in the future, contact [site investigator (XXX) XXX-XXXX] 
or other members of the study team at (XXX) XXX-XXXX. 
 
 
SUBJECT ACCESS TO GENETIC INFORMATION:  
 
The results of these studies will not be made available to you because the research is still in an early phase 
and the reliability of the results is unknown. 
 
If we discover new information that is important for your health care, either in this study or the future, you will 
be asked whether you wish to receive the results. You may be required to have the test repeated in a clinical 
laboratory. Because genetic information is complex and sensitive, the results should be discussed with a 
genetic counselor or your primary care giver who can answer your questions or discuss your concerns. You 
would be responsible for all costs associated with having the test repeated and visiting a doctor or genetic 
counselor to discuss the results. 
 
RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS: 
 
If we are unable to collect a blood sample from an existing IV line, we will need to draw blood from a vein in 
your arm or hand. You may feel some pain when your blood is drawn. There is a small chance the needle will 
cause bleeding, a bruise, an infection, or fainting. 
 
Efforts will be made to keep your personal information confidential as described in the CONFIDENTIALITY 
section, but we cannot guarantee total privacy. 
 
A federal law, called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), generally makes it illegal for health 
insurance companies, group health plans, and most employers to discriminate against you based on your 
genetic information. Be aware that this federal law does not protect you against genetic discrimination by 
companies that sell life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance. GINA also does not protect 
you against discrimination if you have already been diagnosed with the genetic disease being tested. 
 
Although we have made efforts to protect your identity, there is a small risk of loss of confidentiality. If the 
results of these studies of your genetic makeup were to be accidentally released, it might be possible that the 
information we will gather about you as part of this study could become available to an insurer or an employer, 
or a relative, or someone else outside the study. Even though there are certain genetic discrimination 
protections in both Oregon law and federal law, there is still a small chance that you could be harmed if a 
release occurred. 
 
BENEFITS: 
 
You may or may not personally benefit from being in this study. However, by serving as a subject, you may 
help us learn how to benefit patients in the future.  
 
ALTERNATIVES: 
 
You may choose not to be in this study. 
 
CONFIDENTIALITY: 
 
We will take steps to keep your personal information confidential, but we cannot guarantee total privacy.  
 
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We will create and collect health information about you as described in the Purpose and Procedures sections 
of this form. Health information is private and is protected under federal law and [state] law. By agreeing to be 
in this study, you are giving permission (also called authorization) for us to use and disclose your health 
information as described in this form. 
The investigators, study staff, and others at [site institution] may use the information we collect and create 
about you in order to conduct and oversee this research study. We may release this information to others 
outside of [site institution] who are involved in conducting or overseeing research, including: 
 
• 
The National Institute of Health (NIH) 
• 
The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) 
• 
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
• 
Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) at the University of Washington 
• 
Canadian Regulatory Agencies 
• 
An Independent Research Medical Monitor 
 
We will not release information about you to others not listed above, unless required or permitted by law. We 
will not use your name or your identity for publication or publicity purposes, unless we have your special 
permission. 
 
To help protect your privacy, we have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institutes of 
Health.  With this Certificate, researchers cannot be forced to disclose information that may identify you, even 
by a court subpoena, in any federal, state, or local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other 
proceedings.  Researchers will use the Certificate to resist any demands for information that would identify 
you, except as explained below. 
 
The Certificate cannot be used to resist a demand for information from personnel of the United States 
Government that is used for auditing or evaluation for Federally funded projects or for information that must be 
disclosed in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
You should understand that a Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you or a member of your family 
from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your Involvement in this research.  If an insurer, 
employer, or other person obtains your written consent to receive research information, then the researchers 
may not use the Certificate to withhold that information. 
 
Exceptions: 
A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent researchers from voluntarily disclosing information about you, 
without your consent in incidents such as child abuse, and intent to harm yourself or others. 
 
Under state Law, suspected child or elder abuse must be reported to appropriate authorities. 
 
[Site institution] complies with state requirements for reporting certain diseases and conditions to local health 
departments. 
 
When we send specimens or information outside of [site institution], they may no longer be protected under 
federal or state law. In this case, your specimens or information could be used and re-released without your 
permission. 
 
Study ID numbers will be assigned to each participant. Only study IDs will be used on study related materials, 
including data and biological samples. Only the investigators and people involved in the conduct of the study 
will be authorized to link the code number to you. All study and research files will be maintained in locked files 
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and destroyed at the completion of the study. Publications and presentations resulting from this study will be 
reported as aggregate data with no personal identifiers. No names of participants will be released unless 
written permission has been received from the study participant. 
 
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT: 
 
Samples and information about you or obtained from you in this research may be used for commercial 
purposes, such as making a discovery that could be patented or licensed to a company. There are no plans to 
pay you if this happens. You will not have any property rights or ownership or financial interest in or arising 
from products or data that may result from your participation in this study. Further, you will have no 
responsibility or liability for any use that may be made of your samples or information. 
 
COSTS: 
 
There will be no cost to you or your insurance company to participate in this study. 
 
LIABILITY: 
 
If you believe you have been injured or harmed while participating in this research and require immediate 
treatment, contact [site investigator at (XXX) XXX-XXXX] or [site coordinator at (XXX) XXX-XXXX].  
 
This federally funded study does not have the ability to provide compensation for research-related injury. If you 
are injured or become ill from taking part in this study, it is important to tell your study doctor. Emergency 
treatment may be available but you or your insurance company will be charged for this treatment. 
 
PARTICIPATION: 
 
If you have any questions regarding your rights as a research subject, you may contact the [site institution] 
Research Integrity Office at (503) 494-7887.  
 
You do not have to join this or any research study. You do not have to allow the use and disclosure of your 
health information in the study, but if you do not, you cannot be in the study.  
 
If you do join the study and later change your mind, you have the right to quit at any time. This includes the 
right to withdraw your authorization to use and disclose your health information. If you choose not to join any or 
all parts of this study, or if you withdraw early from any or all parts of the study, there will be no penalty or loss 
of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled, including being able to receive health care services or 
insurance coverage for services. Talk to the investigator if you want to withdraw from the study. 
 
If you no longer want your health information to be used and disclosed as described in this form, you must 
send a written request or email stating that you are revoking your authorization to: 
 
Site Investigator, MD 
Site Institution 
Site Address 
Site Email 
Your request will be effective as of the date we receive it. However, health information collected before your 
request is received may continue to be used and disclosed to the extent that we have already acted based on 
your authorization.  
 
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If in the future you decide you no longer want to participate in this research, we will ask for your permission to 
use the information we have collected. If you do not give permission, we will destroy the information. 
 
The samples and information we will collect from you will be stored at [site institution]. They will be stored with 
a coded identifier to protect your privacy. 
 
We will give you any new information during the course of this research study that might change the way you 
feel about being in the study. 
 
Your health care provider may be one of the investigators of this research study and, as an investigator, is 
interested in both your clinical welfare and in the conduct of this study. Before entering this study or at any time 
during the research, you may ask for a second opinion about your care from another doctor who is in no way 
involved in this project. You do not have to be in any research study offered by your physician. 
 
SIGNATURES: 
 
Your signature below indicates that you have read this entire form and that you agree to be in this study.  
 
We will give you a copy of this signed form. 
 
 
Printed Name of Subject  
(If 18 or older) 
Signature of Subject  
(If 18 or older) 
Date 
Printed Name of Subject 
(If 15 to 17 years old) 
 
Signature of Subject 
(If 15 to 17 years old) 
Date 
Printed Name of Parent, Guardian, or 
Legally Authorized Representative 
(if subject unable to provide consent or 
under 18 years old) 
  
Signature of Parent, Guardian, or 
Legally Authorized Representative  
(if subject unable to provide consent) 
 
Date 
Relationship to subject  
 
 
Printed Name of Person Obtaining 
Consent  
Signature of Person Obtaining 
Consent  
Date