Plano Fire-Rescue is the leading the way in North Texas with a drug that could save more lives.
Tranexamic Acid, or TXA, has been around for decades. The drug helps stop excess bleeding.
"The theory is the earlier we can administer the medication, the better the outcome," said Plano Fire-Rescue Capt. Jack Sides. "Every minute counts, and that is why we're using this as a pre-hospital study. TXA is not really a new medication. It has been around a while to treat other bleeding disorders."
Plano Fire-Rescue is the first department in the Metroplex to test the drug to treat severe brain injuries.
The yearlong clinical trial allows paramedics to give TXA to patients before they get to the hospital.
"We've never been really able to treat traumatic brain injury early," said Dr. Gary White, trauma director at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. "This drug hopefully will allows us to get ahead of the game as far as bleeding in the brain."
White has been a trauma surgeon in North Texas for more than 30 years.
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"We see traumatic head injuries and brain injuries all the time," he said. "In a trauma situation, we want the clot to stay stable and not dissolve. TXA prevents the clot from dissolving."
During the trial, Plano EMS personnel can administer the TXA if patients have a realistic chance of survival. The patient cannot be pregnant and must be at least 18 years old.
The Resuscitation Outcome Consortium is conducting the TXA study.
