New trial will potentially halt bleeding in trauma patients

HonorHealth Research Institute could potentially be part of a global clinical trial to test a drug that might prevent severe bleeding.

The drug is called Kcentra (or 4-factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate, PCC). The trial will begin in 2023 and last until 2026. According to HonorHealth, the trial is funded by CSL Behring, a global biotherapeutics leader, which makes PCC.

Dr. John Kepros, a principal investigator at HonorHealth Research Institute, joined us to discuss the trial, called Trauma and Prothrombin Complex Concentrate or TAP, and whether a certain blood-clotting drug given in the emergency room can improve survival.

Bleeding out is the most common cause of preventable death after injury.

“As soon as we decide that a patient is likely to have a large blood transfusion, we’ll administer that drug,” Dr. Kepros said.

However, there are some issues regarding informed consent that are involved with the study. Patients might be administered the drug even if they are unconscious but in a life-threatening scenario.

“We have an exception for informed consent. We have to administer this before they’re able to give us consent. The primary outcome is death at six hours, for example,” Dr. Kepros said.

In order for patients to have more knowledge of this drug, they use social media and presentations. If patients want to opt out from receiving the drug, they can contact the HonorHealth Research Institute.