A new study published in the journal Injury shows that a tranexamic acid (TXA) autoinjector delivers lifesaving treatment for severe bleeding as effectively as traditional IV methods, but in under five minutes and without the need for medical expertise.
This breakthrough could transform trauma care in emergencies, making rapid, easy-to-administer treatment available in settings ranging from battlefields to roadside accidents.
The team of researchers was led by Prof. Arik Eisenkraft and Prof. David Gertz of the Institute for Research in Military Medicine (IRMM), Faculty of Medicine, at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who partnered with the IDF Medical Corps for the study.
They demonstrated that a simple autoinjector device can rapidly deliver TXA, a drug that significantly improves survival in severe bleeding, with the same effectiveness as traditional intravenous (IV) administration.
The study highlights the potential for this technology to save lives in pre-hospital and battlefield settings, where timely intervention is critical and IV access may be delayed or impossible.
Addressing a Critical Challenge
Severe bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death in trauma situations, from combat zones to highway accidents.
TXA, an antifibrinolytic drug that helps stabilise blood clots and reduce blood loss, is already widely used in hospitals and dedicated trauma centres and by pre-hospital emergency responders.
However, the standard IV method of administration can be difficult to perform in chaotic, high-stress environments, leading to dangerous delays in treatment.
Research has shown that for every 15-minute delay in administering TXA, its effectiveness drops by 10%, underscoring the need for a faster, simpler solution.
In this new study, the researchers found that TXA delivered via autoinjector reached effective therapeutic levels in less than five minutes and remained active throughout the treatment window.
Critically, outcomes were comparable to intravenous delivery, with stable haemodynamic parameters and effective clot formation observed across all test subjects.
“When someone is bleeding heavily, every minute matters,” said Dr Eisenkraft.
“With this autoinjector, even non-medical responders can administer lifesaving treatment almost instantly and that can mean the difference between life and death.”
“This innovation could transform trauma response in the field,” added Dr Gertz.
“From combat zones to roadside accidents and natural disasters, the ability to deliver a proven treatment quickly and easily has the potential to save countless lives.”
The simplicity and portability of the autoinjector device allow it to be used widely by paramedics, first responders and military medics, ensuring that TXA can be administered within the critical early minutes following severe injury.
This research builds on ongoing efforts by Hebrew University and IDF scientists to improve emergency medical care in high-risk environments, ensuring that patients receive fast, effective interventions when and where they need them most.