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Missingness matters: a secondary analysis of thromboelastography measurements from a recent prehospital randomized tranexamic acid clinical trial
Donohue, J. K., Iyanna, N., Lorence, J. M., Brown, J. B., Guyette, F. X., Eastridge, B. J., Nirula, R., Vercruysse, G. A., O'Keeffe, T., Joseph, B., et al
Trauma surgery & acute care open. 2024;9(1):e001346
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been hypothesized to mitigate coagulopathy in patients after traumatic injury. Despite previous prehospital clinical trials demonstrating a TXA survival benefit, none have demonstrated correlated changes in thromboelastography (TEG) parameters. We sought to analyze if missing TEG data contributed to this paucity of findings. METHODS We performed a secondary analysis of the Study of Tranexamic Acid During Air Medical and Ground Prehospital Transport Trial. We compared patients that received TEG (YES-TEG) and patients unable to be sampled (NO-TEG) to analyze subgroups in which to investigate TEG differences. TEG parameter differences across TXA intervention arms were assessed within subgroups disproportionately present in the NO-TEG relative to the YES-TEG cohort. Generalized linear models controlling for potential confounders were applied to findings with p<0.10 on univariate analysis. RESULTS NO-TEG patients had lower prehospital systolic blood pressure (SBP) (100 (78, 140) vs 125 (88, 147), p<0.01), lower prehospital Glascow Coma Score (14 (3, 15) vs 15 (12, 15), p<0.01), greater rates of prehospital intubation (39.4% vs 24.4%, p<0.01) and greater mortality at 30 days (36.4% vs 6.8%, p<0.01). NO-TEG patients had a greater international normalized ratio relative to the YES-TEG subgroup (1.2 (1.1, 1.5) vs 1.1 (1.0, 1.2), p=0.04). Within a severe prehospital shock cohort (SBP<70), TXA was associated with a significant decrease in clot lysis at 30 min on multivariate analysis (β=-27.6, 95% CI (-51.3 to -3.9), p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Missing data, due to the logistical challenges of sampling certain severely injured patients, may be associated with a lack of TEG parameter changes on TXA administration in the primary analysis. Previous demonstration of TXA's survival benefit in patients with severe prehospital shock in tandem with the current findings supports the notion that TXA acts at least partially by improving clot integrity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients at risk for haemorrhage receiving tranexamic acid before hospitalization, enrolled in the Study of Tranexamic Acid During Air Medical and Ground Prehospital Transport (STAAMP) Trial (n= 903).
Intervention
Prehospital tranexamic acid (TXA) (n= 447).
Comparison
Placebo (n= 456).
Outcome
This study was a secondary analysis of the STAAMP trial, comparing patients that received thromboelastography (TEG) (YES-TEG, n= 837) and patients unable to be sampled (NO-TEG, n= 66) to analyze subgroups in which to investigate TEG differences. NO-TEG patients had lower prehospital systolic blood pressure (SBP) (100 (78, 140) vs. 125 (88, 147)), lower prehospital Glascow Coma Score (14 (3, 15) vs. 15 (12, 15)), greater rates of prehospital intubation (39.4% vs. 24.4%) and greater mortality at 30 days (36.4% vs. 6.8%). NO-TEG patients had a greater international normalized ratio relative to the YES-TEG subgroup (1.2 (1.1, 1.5) vs. 1.1 (1.0, 1.2)). Within a severe prehospital shock cohort (SBP< 70), TXA was associated with a significant decrease in clot lysis at 30 min on multivariate analysis (β= -27.6; 95% CI [-51.3, -3.9].
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Tranexamic acid in pediatric hemorrhagic trauma
Borgman, M. A., Nishijima, D. K.
The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 2023;94(1S Suppl 1):S36-s40
Abstract
There is strong evidence in adult literature that tranexamic acid (TXA) given within 3 hours from injury is associated with improved outcomes. The evidence for TXA use in injured children is limited to retrospective studies and one prospective observational trial. Two studies in combat settings and one prospective civilian US study have found association with improved mortality. These studies indicate the need for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of TXA in injured children and to clarify appropriate timing, dose and patient selection. Additional research is also necessary to evaluate trauma-induced coagulopathy in children. Recent studies have identified three distinct fibrinolytic phenotypes following trauma (hyperfibrinolysis, physiologic fibrinolysis, and fibrinolytic shutdown), which can be identified with viscohemostatic assays. Whether viscohemostatic assays can appropriately identify children who may benefit or be harmed by TXA is also unknown.
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Darbepoetin alfa to reduce transfusion episodes in infants with haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn who are treated with intrauterine transfusions in the Netherlands: an open-label, single-centre, phase 2, randomised, controlled trial
Ree, I. M. C., de Haas, M., van Geloven, N., Juul, S. E., de Winter, D., Verweij, E. J. T., Oepkes, D., van der Bom, J. G., Lopriore, E.
The Lancet. Haematology. 2023;10(12):e976-e984
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to 88% of infants with haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn who are treated with intrauterine transfusions require erythrocyte transfusions after birth. We aimed to investigate the effect of darbepoetin alfa on the prevention of postnatal anaemia in infants with haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. METHODS We conducted an open-label, single-centre, phase 2 randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of darbepoetin alfa on the number of erythrocyte transfusions in infants with haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. All infants who were treated with intrauterine transfusion and born at 35 weeks of gestation or later at the Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands, were eligible for inclusion. Included infants were randomised by computer at birth to treatment with 10 μg/kg darbepoetin alfa subcutaneously once a week for 8 weeks or standard care (1:1 allocation, in varying blocks of four and six, with no stratification). Treating physicians and parents were not masked to treatment allocation, but the research team, data manager, and statistician were masked to treatment allocation during the process of data collection. The primary outcome was the number of erythrocyte transfusion episodes per infant from birth up to 3 months of life in the modified intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03104426) and has been completed. FINDINGS Between Oct 31, 2017, and April 31, 2022, we recruited 76 infants, of whom 44 (58%) were randomly assigned to a treatment group (20 [45%] were allocated to receive darbepoetin alfa and 24 [55%] were allocated to receive standard care). Follow-up lasted 3 months and one infant dropped out of the trial before commencement of treatment. A significant reduction in erythrocyte transfusion episodes was identified with darbepoetin alfa treatment compared with standard care (median 1·0 [IQR 1·0-2·0] transfusion episodes vs 2·0 [1·3-3·0] transfusion episodes; p=0·0082). No adverse events were reported and no infants died during the study. INTERPRETATION Darbepoetin alfa reduced the transfusion episodes after intrauterine transfusion treatment for haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Treatment with darbepoetin alfa or other types of erythropoietin should be considered as part of the postnatal treatment of severe haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. FUNDING Sanquin Blood Supply. TRANSLATION For the Dutch translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
PICO Summary
Population
Infants with haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (n= 44).
Intervention
Darbepoetin alfa once a week subcutaneously for 8 weeks (n= 20).
Comparison
Standard care (n= 24).
Outcome
Follow-up lasted 3 months and one infant in the darbepoetin alfa group dropped out of the trial before commencement of treatment. The primary outcome was the number of erythrocyte transfusion episodes per infant from birth up to 3 months of life in the modified intention-to-treat population. A significant reduction in erythrocyte transfusion episodes was identified with darbepoetin alfa treatment compared with standard care (median 1.0 [IQR 1.0, 2.0] transfusion episodes vs. 2.0 [1.3, 3.0] transfusion episodes). No adverse events were reported and no infants died during the study.
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Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in the Treatment of Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Sedaghat M, Iranshahi M, Mardani M, Mesbah N
Cureus. 2023;15(1):e33503
Abstract
Background Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is an important cause of emergency ward admission. Antifibrinolytic agents including tranexamic acid (TXA) have been used for controlling GIB. However, there have been concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of TXA in patients with GIB. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy of TXA in the treatment of massive upper GIB. Methodology This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted among 86 consecutive patients who were referred to Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2018 to 2019 with the chief complaint of massive upper GIB. Patients were chosen to be in the TXA or placebo groups based on a 1:1 allocation using the block randomization method. The rate of rebleeding, need for blood transfusion, hospital stay, adverse effects, and mortality rate were evaluated and compared across the groups. Results Of the 86 patients enrolled in this study, 55.8% (n = 48) were males. The mean age of all patients was 53.1 ± 10.6 years (TXA group: 54.9 ± 11.5 years, and placebo group: 51.4 ± 9.7 years). Rebleeding was seen in 11 (25.6%) patients in the TXA group and in 20 (46.5%) patients in the control group, which was statistically significant (p = 0.043). Blood transfusion was carried out in only three (7%) patients in the TXA group compared with 14 (32.6%) patients in the placebo group (p = 0.003). Six (14%) patients experienced a hospital stay of longer than five days in the TXA group and 15 (34.9%) patients in the control group, which was statistically significant (p = 0.024). There were no significant differences in the mortality rate across both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions TXA has no effect on mortality associated with severe upper GIB. However, it was associated with a lower rate of rebleeding and hospitalization time, without significant adverse effects.
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Re-analysis of the PolyHeme Phase III trial dataset: Lessons for future haemoglobin-based oxygen carrier trauma trials
Mackenzie CF, Dubé GP, Pitman AN
Injury. 2023
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To assist design of future HBOC clinical trials for pre-hospital and prolonged field care, the haemoglobin-based-oxygen carrier (HBOC) Phase III trauma trial database comparing PolyHeme to blood transfusion was re-analysed to identify causes of adverse early outcomes versus the 30-day mortality outcome of the original trial. We questioned if failure of PolyHeme (10 g/dl) to increase haemoglobin concentration and dilutional coagulopathy versus blood, caused higher Day 1 mortality in the PolyHeme arm of the trial. METHODS New analyses of the original trial database, including Fisher's exact test, examined impact of interval changes in total haemoglobin [THb], coagulation, fluid volumes administered and mortality on Day 1 in the Control (pre-hospital crystalloids, then blood after trauma centre admission) and PolyHeme arms of the trial. RESULTS Admission [THb] was significantly greater (p<0.05) in PolyHeme (12.3 [SD = 1.8] g/dl) versus Control (11.5 [SD= 2.9] g/dl) patients. This early [THb] advantage was reversed within 6 h. Early mortality was negatively correlated with [THb] and maximum 1.4 h after hospital admission (17/365 for Control vs. 5/349 for PolyHeme). The mortality trend began reversing, when Control arm received blood. Coagulopathy was more common in the PolyHeme arm. Mortality rate was 2-fold greater for patients with coagulopathy in the control arm (18% vs. 9%, p = 0.1008) and 4-fold greater in PolyHeme arm (33% vs. 8.5%, p < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis of patients with major haemorrhage (n = 55), mortality was significantly higher in PolyHeme patients [12/26 (46.2%) versus 4/29 (13.8%) in control cohort (p = 0.018)], related to mean 10 liters more IV fluid administration and more severe anaemia (6.2 g/dL vs. 9.2 g/dL) in the PolyHeme cohort. CONCLUSIONS PolyHeme (10 g/dL) diminished pre-hospital anaemia. The inability of PolyHeme to reverse acute anaemia in a subset of major haemorrhage patients was due to volume overload secondary to high PolyHeme doses, resulting in dilution of clotting factors and low circulating THb (versus transfused controls) during the first 12 h of the trial. Haemodilution was associated with prolonged administration of PolyHeme, while blood transfusion was available to Control patients following hospital admission. Coagulopathy exacerbated bleeding, anaemia, contributing to excess mortality in the PolyHeme arm. Future trials for prolonged field care should evaluate HBOC with higher haemoglobin concentration, lower volume administration and transition upon trauma centre admission to blood plus coagulation factors or whole blood.
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Prehospital Tranexamic Acid for Severe Trauma
Gruen, R. L., Mitra, B., Bernard, S. A., McArthur, C. J., Burns, B., Gantner, D. C., Maegele, M., Cameron, P. A., Dicker, B., Forbes, A. B., et al
The New England journal of medicine. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether prehospital administration of tranexamic acid increases the likelihood of survival with a favorable functional outcome among patients with major trauma and suspected trauma-induced coagulopathy who are being treated in advanced trauma systems is uncertain. METHODS We randomly assigned adults with major trauma who were at risk for trauma-induced coagulopathy to receive tranexamic acid (administered intravenously as a bolus dose of 1 g before hospital admission, followed by a 1-g infusion over a period of 8 hours after arrival at the hospital) or matched placebo. The primary outcome was survival with a favorable functional outcome at 6 months after injury, as assessed with the use of the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E). Levels on the GOS-E range from 1 (death) to 8 ("upper good recovery" [no injury-related problems]). We defined survival with a favorable functional outcome as a GOS-E level of 5 ("lower moderate disability") or higher. Secondary outcomes included death from any cause within 28 days and within 6 months after injury. RESULTS A total of 1310 patients were recruited by 15 emergency medical services in Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. Of these patients, 661 were assigned to receive tranexamic acid, and 646 were assigned to receive placebo; the trial-group assignment was unknown for 3 patients. Survival with a favorable functional outcome at 6 months occurred in 307 of 572 patients (53.7%) in the tranexamic acid group and in 299 of 559 (53.5%) in the placebo group (risk ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90 to 1.12; P = 0.95). At 28 days after injury, 113 of 653 patients (17.3%) in the tranexamic acid group and 139 of 637 (21.8%) in the placebo group had died (risk ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.99). By 6 months, 123 of 648 patients (19.0%) in the tranexamic acid group and 144 of 629 (22.9%) in the placebo group had died (risk ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.03). The number of serious adverse events, including vascular occlusive events, did not differ meaningfully between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Among adults with major trauma and suspected trauma-induced coagulopathy who were being treated in advanced trauma systems, prehospital administration of tranexamic acid followed by an infusion over 8 hours did not result in a greater number of patients surviving with a favorable functional outcome at 6 months than placebo. (Funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and others; PATCH-Trauma ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02187120.).
PICO Summary
Population
Adult patients with severe trauma and at risk for trauma induced coagulopathy, enrolled in the PATCH-Trauma trial in 15 emergency medical services in Australia, New Zealand, and Germany (n= 1,310).
Intervention
Tranexamic acid (n= 661).
Comparison
Placebo (n= 646).
Outcome
Survival with a favorable functional outcome at 6 months occurred in 307 of 572 patients (53.7%) in the tranexamic acid group and in 299 of 559 (53.5%) in the placebo group (risk ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), [0.90, 1.12]. At 28 days after injury, 113 of 653 patients (17.3%) in the tranexamic acid group and 139 of 637 (21.8%) in the placebo group had died (risk ratio, 0.79; 95% CI [0.63, 0.99]. By 6 months, 123 of 648 patients (19.0%) in the tranexamic acid group and 144 of 629 (22.9%) in the placebo group had died (risk ratio, 0.83; 95% CI [0.67, 1.03]. The number of serious adverse events, including vascular occlusive events, did not differ meaningfully between the groups.
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Association of Fibrinolysis Phenotype with Patient Outcomes following Traumatic Brain Injury
Durbin, S., Brito, A., Johnson, A., Cotton, B., Rowell, S., Schreiber, M.
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery. 2023
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired coagulation is associated with elevated risk of mortality in trauma patients. Prior studies have demonstrated increased mortality in patients with hyperfibrinolysis (HF) and fibrinolysis shutdown (SD). Additionally, prior studies have demonstrated no effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on fibrinolysis phenotypes. We examined the association of admission fibrinolysis phenotype with traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient outcomes. METHODS Data were extracted from a placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trial. Patients ≥15 years old with TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale 3-12) and systolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg were randomized in the out-of-hospital setting to receive placebo bolus/placebo infusion (Placebo), 1 gram (g) TXA bolus/1 g TXA infusion (Bolus Maintenance [BM]); or 2 g TXA bolus/placebo infusion (Bolus Only [BO]). Fibrinolysis phenotypes on admission were determined by clot lysis at 30 minutes (LY30): SD ≤0.8%, physiologic 0.9-2.9%, HF ≥3%. Logistic regression was used to control for age, sex, penetrating injury, ISS, maximum head AIS, and TXA treatment group. RESULTS 747 patients met inclusion criteria. Fibrinolysis shutdown was the most common phenotype in all treatment groups and was associated with increased age, ISS and presence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Inpatient mortality was 15.2% for SD and HF, and 10.6% for physiologic (p = 0.49). No differences in mortality, disability rating scale at 6 months, acute kidney injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or multi-organ failure were noted between fibrinolysis phenotypes. CONCLUSION SD is the most common phenotype expressed in moderate to severe TBI. In TBI, there is no association between fibrinolysis phenotype and mortality or other major complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE diagnostic test/criteria, III.
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Prehospital tranexamic acid is associated with a dose-dependent decrease in syndecan-1 after trauma: A secondary analysis of a prospective randomized trial
Gruen DS, Brown JB, Guyette FX, Johansson PI, Stensballe J, Li SR, Leeper CM, Eastridge BJ, Nirula R, Vercruysse GA, et al
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the Study of Tranexamic Acid During Air and Ground Prehospital Transport (STAAMP) Trial, prehospital tranexamic acid (TXA) was associated with lower mortality in specific patient subgroups. The underlying mechanisms responsible for a TXA benefit remain incompletely characterized. We hypothesized that TXA may mitigate endothelial injury and sought to assess whether TXA was associated with decreased endothelial or tissue damage markers among all patients enrolled in the STAAMP Trial. METHODS We collected blood samples from STAAMP Trial patients and measured markers of endothelial function and tissue damage including syndecan-1, soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) at hospital admission (0 hours) and 12, 24, and 72 hours after admission. We compared these marker values for patients in each treatment group during the first 72 hours, and modeled the relationship between TXA and marker concentration using regression analysis to control for potential confounding factors. RESULTS We analyzed samples from 766 patients: 383 placebo, 130 abbreviated dosing, 119 standard dosing, and 130 repeat dosing. Lower levels of syndecan-1, TM, and PECAM measured within the first 72 hours of hospital admission were associated with survival at 30 days (P < 0.001). At hospital admission, syndecan-1 was lower in the TXA group (28.30 [20.05, 42.75] vs. 33.50 [23.00, 54.00] P = 0.001) even after controlling for patient, injury, and prehospital factors (P = 0.001). For every 1 g increase in TXA administered over the first 8 hours of prehospital transport and hospital admission, there was a 4 ng/mL decrease in syndecan-1 at 12 hours controlling for patient, injury, and treatment factors (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Prehospital TXA was associated with decreased syndecan-1 at hospital admission. Syndecan-1 measured 12 hours after admission was inversely related to the dose of TXA received. Early pre- and in-hospital TXA may decrease endothelial glycocalyx damage or upregulate vascular repair mechanisms in a dose-dependent fashion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II, Secondary analysis of a prospective randomized trial.
PICO Summary
Population
Injured patients who received prehospital tranexamic acid (TXA) and were at risk for haemorrhage enrolled in the STAAMP randomised controlled trial (n= 766).
Intervention
Abbreviated dose: 1g of TXA (n= 130). Standard dose: 2g of TXA (n= 119). Repeat dose: 3g of TXA (n= 130).
Comparison
Placebo (saline), (n= 383).
Outcome
Blood samples were collected to measure markers of endothelial function and tissue damage including syndecan-1, soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) at hospital admission and 12, 24, and 72 hours after admission. Lower levels of syndecan-1, TM, and PECAM measured within the first 72 hours of hospital admission were associated with survival at 30 days. At hospital admission (mean ng/mL [IQR]), syndecan-1 was lower in the TXA group than the placebo group (28.30 [20.05, 42.75] vs. 33.50 [23.00, 54.00]) even after controlling for patient, injury, and prehospital factors. For every 1g increase in TXA administered over the first 8 hours of prehospital transport and hospital admission, there was a 4 ng/mL decrease in syndecan-1 at 12 hours controlling for patient, injury, and treatment factors.
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Iron and erythropoietin to heal and recover after intensive care (ITHRIVE): A pilot randomised clinical trial
Litton, E., French, C., Herschtal, A., Stanworth, S., Pellicano, S., Palermo, A. M., Bates, S., Van Der Laan, S., Eroglu, E., Griffith, D., et al
Critical care and resuscitation : journal of the Australasian Academy of Critical Care Medicine. 2023;25(4):201-206
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the feasibility of a pivotal randomised clinical trial of intravenous (IV) iron and erythropoietin in adult survivors of critical illness with anaemia requiring treatment in the intensive care unit. DESIGN An investigator-initiated, parallel group, placebo-controlled, randomised feasibility trial. SETTING A tertiary intensive care unit (ICU) in Perth, Western Australia. PARTICIPANTS Adults with anaemia (haemoglobin <100 g/L), requiring ICU-level care for more than 48 h, and likely to be ready for ICU discharge within 24 h. INTERVENTIONS A single dose of IV ferric carboxymaltose and Epoetin alfa (active group) or an equal volume of 0.9% saline (placebo group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Study feasibility was considered met if the pilot achieved a recruitment rate of ≥2 participants per site per month, ≥90% of participants received their allocated study treatment, and≥ 90% of participants were followed up for the proposed pivotal trial primary outcome - days alive and at home to day 90 (DAH(90)). RESULTS The 40-participant planned sample size included twenty in each group and was enrolled between 1/9/2021 and 2/3/2022. Participants spent a median of 3.4 days (interquartile range 2.8-5.1) in the ICU prior to enrolment and had a mean baseline haemoglobin of 83.7 g/L (standard deviation 6.7). The recruitment rate was 6.7 participants per month [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.8-9.0], DAH(90) follow-up was 100% (95% CI 91.2%-100%), and 39 (97.5%, 95% CI 86.8%-99.9%) participants received the allocated study intervention. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION The iron and erythropoietin to heal and recover after intensive care (ITHRIVE) pilot demonstrated feasibility based on predefined participant recruitment, study drug administration, and follow-up thresholds.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult survivors of critical illness with anaemia requiring treatment in the intensive care unit, enrolled in the ITHRIVE randomised feasibility trial (n= 40).
Intervention
A single dose of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose and Epoetin alfa (active group, n= 20).
Comparison
An equal volume of 0.9% saline (placebo group, n= 20).
Outcome
Study feasibility was considered met if the pilot achieved a recruitment rate of ≥2 participants per site per month, ≥90% of participants received their allocated study treatment, and≥ 90% of participants were followed up for the proposed pivotal trial primary outcome - days alive and at home to day 90 DAH(90). The trial enrolled its planned sample size of 40 participants. The recruitment rate was 6.7 participants per month (95% confidence interval (CI) [4.8, 9.0]), DAH(90) follow-up was 100% (95% CI [91.2%, 100%]), and 39 ((97.5%); 95% CI [86.8%, 99.9%]) participants received the allocated study intervention. No serious adverse events were reported.
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Role of single-dose intravenous iron therapy for the treatment of anaemia after orthopaedic trauma: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial
Peterson, D. F., McKibben, N. S., Hutchison, C. E., Lancaster, K., Yang, C. J., Dekeyser, G. J., Friess, D. M., Schreiber, M. A., Willett, N. J., Shatzel, J. J., et al
BMJ open. 2023;13(3):e069070
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Orthopaedic trauma and fracture care commonly cause perioperative anaemia and associated functional iron deficiency due to a systemic inflammatory state. Modern, strict transfusion thresholds leave many patients anaemic; managing this perioperative anaemia is an opportunity to impact outcomes in orthopaedic trauma surgery. The primary outcome of this pilot study is feasibility for a large randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate intravenous iron therapy (IVIT) to improve patient well-being following orthopaedic injury. Measurements will include rate of participant enrolment, screening failure, follow-up, missing data, adverse events and protocol deviation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This single-centre, pilot, double-blind RCT investigates the use of IVIT for acute blood loss anaemia in traumatically injured orthopaedic patients. Patients are randomised to receive either a single dose infusion of low-molecular weight iron dextran (1000 mg) or placebo (normal saline) postoperatively during their hospital stay for trauma management. Eligible subjects include adult patients admitted for lower extremity or pelvis operative fracture care with a haemoglobin of 7-11 g/dL within 7 days postoperatively during inpatient care. Exclusion criteria include history of intolerance to intravenous iron supplementation, active haemorrhage requiring ongoing blood product resuscitation, multiple planned procedures, pre-existing haematologic disorders or chronic inflammatory states, iron overload on screening or vulnerable populations. We follow patients for 3 months to measure the effect of iron supplementation on clinical outcomes (resolution of anaemia and functional iron deficiency), patient-reported outcomes (fatigue, physical function, depression and quality of life) and translational measures of immune cell function. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has ethics approval (Oregon Health & Science University Institutional Review Board, STUDY00022441). We will disseminate the findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05292001; ClinicalTrials.gov.