AzTrials
AzTrials

Subdural HematomaPhase 3TRACENCT05713630

The Use of Tranexamic Acid in the Treatment of Symptomatic Subdural Hematoma

A Phase 3 study testing Tranexamic acid (TXA) in people with Subdural Hematoma, run by Unity Health Toronto at 1 site in Canada.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Subdural hematoma (SDH) is a common condition experienced after head injury. Blood collects on the surface of the brain, causing headaches which can progress to confusion, weakness, or even coma. While patients with SDH often receive surgery, not all patients require surgery right away to ease pressure on the brain. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 45 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Subdural Hematoma
What is being tested?
Tranexamic acid (TXA)
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
130 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
20 May 2026to 31 Dec 2030
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 45 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients aged 45 and older weighing between 45-150 kg diagnosed with symptomatic SDH will be included. SDH is defined as unilateral or bilateral crescentic collection of blood (hyper, iso, or hypodense, or mixed density) of greater than or equals to 8 mm in thickness along the cerebral convexity on CT of the head. Symptomatic SDH patients eligible for inclusion are those with SDH with one or more of the following symptoms attributable to the SDH: headache, gait disturbance, confusion or cognitive decline, limb weakness or numbness/paresthesia, speech or visual disturbance, drowsiness or impaired consciousness, seizures, impaired cognition, or memory loss at the time of assessment.

Who cannot join

  • Patients will be excluded for any of the following conditions:
  • Asymptomatic for longer than 72 hours
  • SDH less than 8 mm in maximal thickness
  • Have an acutely deteriorating neurological status (e.g., brain herniation with pupillary dilation, aneurysm rupture, etc.) that is likely to be fatal within 6 hours or less due to a predominantly acute SDH
  • Presence of brain contusion larger than 5 cubic centimeters or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) thicker than 10 mm with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)< 13
  • Patients with primarily interhemispheric or tentorial SDH
Show all 25Show fewer
  • Hypersensitivity to TXA or any of the placebo ingredients
  • Pregnancy
  • Irregular menstrual bleeding with unidentified cause
  • Known acquired colour vision disturbances
  • Hematuria caused by renal parenchymal disease
  • Acute and chronic renal insufficiency indicated by estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) ≤ 30 mL/min
  • Concomitant intake of birth control pill and/or hormonal replacement therapy, and anti-inhibitor coagulant concentrates (factor VIII inhibitor bypass activity (FEIBA), factor VII, activated factor IX)
  • Consumption coagulopathy/disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in the last 7 days
  • Not competent to take study medication properly and regularly or not having access to caregiver that is able to comply with study medication administration
  • Mechanical heart valve
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Recent venous and/or arterial thromboembolism within 6 months of study enrolment
  • SDH caused by intracranial hypotension
  • Known thrombophilia (e.g., antiphospholipid syndrome)
  • Any active malignancy: metastatic cancer systemically or to the brain or a primary malignant brain tumour treated within the last 6 months
  • Previous enrolment in this trial for a prior episode
  • Time interval >3 days from the time of clinical assessment to eligibility assessment
  • Patients weighing <45 kg or >150 kg
  • Patients received any amount of TXA upon admittance to hospital prior to enrolment

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Michael D Cusimano, MD, PhD contact

416-864-5312

injuryprevention@smh.ca

Melissa C Fazari, MSc contact

437-655-1471

melissa.fazari@unityhealth.to

Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
  • St. Michael's Hospital

    Toronto, Ontario, M5B1T8

    Melissa C Fazari, M.Sc, 437-655-1471, injuryprevention@smh.ca

    Stanley Zhang, B.M., 416-864-5312, shudong.zhang@unityhealth.to

    Recruiting

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: TRACE STUDY: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using Tranexamic Acid in the Treatment of Subdural Hematoma

Subdural hematoma (SDH) is a common condition experienced after head injury. Blood collects on the surface of the brain, causing headaches which can progress to confusion, weakness, or even coma. While patients with SDH often receive surgery, not all patients require surgery right away to ease pressure on the brain. After surgery, there can be up to 30 percent chance of more bleeding and the need for more surgeries. Given this, a drug capable of lowering the chance of more bleeding and speeding the recovery of the patient is highly desirable. In this study, we will test a commonly used, cheap drug called Tranexamic Acid (TXA). While the body stops unwanted and sometimes dangerous bleeding naturally by forming blood clots, TXA stops these blood clots from breaking down, which helps to keep bleeding spots plugged. Our previous study showed that TXA helped speed up patients' recovery; but a larger number of patients is necessary to evaluate how well TXA works to reduce bleeding and improve patient-reported outcomes. In this study, regardless of the need for surgery, half of the patients will be randomly assigned to take TXA, while the other half will take a placebo, which is a look-alike substance that contains no active drug. We will measure multiple outcomes over time to determine if TXA is working and lowers healthcare and personal costs, while also taking blood and surgical samples, to better understand how this drug works in SDH patients.

Being tested
Tranexamic acid (TXA), Placebo
Keywords
symptomatic subdural hematoma, tranexamic acid, TXA, clinical trial, neurosurgery
Medical subject headings
Hematoma, Subdural

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Tranexamic acid (TXA)Drug

    Also called Cyklokapron

    Marcan-Tranexamic Acid 500 mg oral tablet over-encapsulated to match the placebo. Sandoz-Tranexamic Acid 100 mg/mL solution for injection via intravenous (IV) added to a 100mL infusion bag of NaCl 0.9% and infused by slow intravenous injection over 20 minutes.

  • PlaceboDrug

    Placebo 500 mg consisting of an identical capsule to over-encapsulated tranexamic acid oral tablet entirely filled with microcrystalline cellulose, and sealed. Placebo 100 mg/mL solution for injection via intravenous (IV) consisting of 0.9% sodium chloride (saline).

Study groups in NCT05713630
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Standard care + TXAActive comparatorPatients will be given a single oral or IV loading dose of TXA within three hours of being randomized or whenever possible prior to surgery. Patients who are able to swallow will be given an oral loading dose of 1g TXA. Patients who are unable to swallow will be given an IV loading dose of 1g TXA which will be added to a 100mL infusion bag of NaCl 0.9% and infused by slow intravenous injection over 20 minutes as per the recommended rate of administration in the Product Monograph for Sandoz-Tranexamic Acid Injection BP. After 12 hours of the loading dose, patients will be given 500mg TXA by mouth (or 500mg TXA in NaCl 0.9% 100mL by IV for those unable to swallow) three times daily, totalling 1500mg/day, for 45 days.
Receives: Drug: Tranexamic acid (TXA)
Standard care + placeboPlacebo comparatorPatients will be given a single oral or IV loading dose of placebo within three hours of being randomized or whenever possible prior to surgery. Patients who are able to swallow will be given an oral loading dose of 1g placebo (gelatin capsule composed of microcrystalline cellulose 105 powder NF). Patients who are unable to swallow will be given an IV loading dose of 1g placebo (sodium chloride also known as NaCl 0.9%) which will be added to a 100mL infusion bag of NaCl 0.9% and infused by slow intravenous injection over 20 minutes. After 12 hours of the loading dose, patients will be given 500mg placebo by mouth (or IV for those unable to swallow) three times a day, totalling 1500mg/day, for 45 days.
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level Version (EQ-5D-5L)

    A self-rated questionnaire that assesses a patient's health state in five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression.

    Measured: Every 2 weeks after randomization up to 45±10 days.

Secondary outcomes (17)
  1. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Scale v1.2 - Global Health. English and French versions

    A 10-item measure that assesses an individual's general physical, mental, and social health as it is intended to globally reflect individuals' assessment of their physical and mental health in the last 7 days.

    Measured: Baseline and every 2 weeks after randomization up to 45±10 days, and then at 60-90 days, and 180±10 days after randomization.

  2. PROMIS Item Bank v2.0 - Cognitive Function. English version

    A measure that assesses cognitive function that will be administered as a computer adaptive test.

    Measured: Baseline and every 2 weeks after randomization up to 45±10 days, and then at 60-90 days, and 180±10 days after randomization.

  3. PROMIS Item Bank v2.0 - Physical Function. English version

    A measure that assesses self-reported capability rather than actual performance of physical activities that will be administered as a computer adaptive test.

    Measured: Baseline and every 2 weeks after randomization up to 45±10 days, and then at 60-90 days, and 180±10 days after randomization.

  4. PROMIS Item Bank v2.0 - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities. English version

    A measure that assesses the perceived ability to perform one's usual social roles and activities that will be administered as a computer adaptive test. The item bank does not use a time frame (e.g. over the past 7 days) when assessing ability to participate in social roles and activities.

    Measured: Baseline and every 2 weeks after randomization up to 45±10 days, and then at 60-90 days, and 180±10 days after randomization.

  5. Subdural hematoma volume change

    Change in hematoma volume in millilitres on CT scan.

    Measured: Baseline, 45±10 days after randomization, and 60-90 days if deemed necessary for the patient's routine care.

  6. Number of subdural hematoma-related surgical interventions

    Measured: First admission, subsequent admissions up to 180 days after randomization

  7. Recurrence rate of SDH

    Measured: 45±10 days, 60-90 days, and 180±10 days after randomization

  8. Mortality

    Measured: During the course of study up to 180±10 days after randomization

  9. Modified Rankin Scale

    A 6-point disability scale used to measure the degree of disability in patients who have had a stroke.

    Measured: Baseline, 45±10 days, 60-90 days, and 180±10 days after randomization

  10. Disability Rating Scale

    Eight questions regarding body function, activity, participation, communication, and movements each rated on a 3-5-point scale that is summed to give a total score.

    Measured: Baseline, 45±10 days, 60-90 days, and 180±10 days after randomization

  11. Montreal Cognitive Assessment

    This assessment evaluates the patient's cognition based on eight areas: visuospatial/executive function, naming, memory, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall, and orientation.

    Measured: Baseline, 45±10 days, and 60-90 days after randomization

  12. Medical Consumption Questionnaire

    Health-related cost questionnaire on the use of healthcare in the past month.

    Measured: Baseline, 45±10 days, and 180±10 days after randomization

  13. EQ-5D-5L

    A self-rated questionnaire that assesses a patient's health state in five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression.

    Measured: Baseline, 60-90 days, and 180±10 days after randomization

  14. Adverse events

    Adverse events of grade 3 or higher as defined by Good Clinical Practice Guidelines.

    Measured: Discharge, 45±10 days, 60-90 days, and 180±10 days after randomization

  15. Length of stay in hospital due to subdural hematoma

    Measured: During the course of the study up to 180±10 days after randomization

  16. Disposition after discharged from hospital

    Measured: During the course of the study up to 180±10 days after randomization

  17. Groningen Frailty Indicator

    A 15-item questionnaire assessing mobility, vision, hearing, nutrition, comorbidity, cognition, psychosocial and physical well-being. Each item is scored dichotomously, with a value of 1 assigned when a deficit is present.

    Measured: Baseline and 45±10 days after randomization.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Feb 2023
  2. Study start20 May 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Mar 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2030 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Vanguard trial
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
130 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05713630
Sponsor's protocol ID
471164
Acronym
TRACE
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
26 Jan 2023
Last updated
29 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Fu TS, Jing R, McFaull SR, Cusimano MD. Recent trends in hospitalization and in-hospital mortality associated with traumatic brain injury in Canada: A nationwide, population-based study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2015 Sep;79(3):449-54. doi: 10.1097/ta.0000000000000733.

    PubMed 26535433
  • Jiang R, Zhao S, Wang R, Feng H, Zhang J, Li X, Mao Y, Yuan X, Fei Z, Zhao Y, Yu X, Poon WS, Zhu X, Liu N, Kang D, Sun T, Jiao B, Liu X, Yu R, Zhang J, Gao G, Hao J, Su N, Yin G, Zhu X, Lu Y, Wei J, Hu J, Hu R, Li J, Wang D, Wei H, Tian Y, Lei P, Dong JF, Zhang J. Safety and Efficacy of Atorvastatin for Chronic Subdural Hematoma in Chinese Patients: A Randomized ClinicalTrial. JAMA Neurol. 2018 Nov 1;75(11):1338-1346. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.2030.

    PubMed 30073290
  • Kudo H, Kuwamura K, Izawa I, Sawa H, Tamaki N. Chronic subdural hematoma in elderly people: present status on Awaji Island and epidemiological prospect. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 1992 Apr;32(4):207-9. doi: 10.2176/nmc.32.207.

    PubMed 1378564
  • Balser D, Farooq S, Mehmood T, Reyes M, Samadani U. Actual and projected incidence rates for chronic subdural hematomas in United States Veterans Administration and civilian populations. J Neurosurg. 2015 Nov;123(5):1209-15. doi: 10.3171/2014.9.JNS141550. Epub 2015 Mar 20.

    PubMed 25794342
  • Brennan PM, Kolias AG, Joannides AJ, Shapey J, Marcus HJ, Gregson BA, Grover PJ, Hutchinson PJ, Coulter IC; British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative. The management and outcome for patients with chronic subdural hematoma: a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study in the United Kingdom. J Neurosurg. 2017 Mar 17:1-8. doi: 10.3171/2016.8.JNS16134.test. Online ahead of print.

    PubMed 28306417
  • Rauhala M, Helen P, Huhtala H, Heikkila P, Iverson GL, Niskakangas T, Ohman J, Luoto TM. Chronic subdural hematoma-incidence, complications, and financial impact. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2020 Sep;162(9):2033-2043. doi: 10.1007/s00701-020-04398-3. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

    PubMed 32524244
  • Balser D, Rodgers SD, Johnson B, Shi C, Tabak E, Samadani U. Evolving management of symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma: experience of a single institution and review of the literature. Neurol Res. 2013 Apr;35(3):233-42. doi: 10.1179/1743132813Y.0000000166.

    PubMed 23485050
  • Lee KS. Natural history of chronic subdural haematoma. Brain Inj. 2004 Apr;18(4):351-8. doi: 10.1080/02699050310001645801.

    PubMed 14742149
  • Sahyouni R, Goshtasbi K, Mahmoodi A, Tran DK, Chen JW. Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Historical and Clinical Perspective. World Neurosurg. 2017 Dec;108:948-953. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.09.064. Epub 2017 Sep 19.

    PubMed 28935548
  • Cofano F, Pesce A, Vercelli G, Mammi M, Massara A, Minardi M, Palmieri M, D'Andrea G, Fronda C, Lanotte MM, Tartara F, Zenga F, Frati A, Garbossa D. Risk of Recurrence of Chronic Subdural Hematomas After Surgery: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study. Front Neurol. 2020 Nov 24;11:560269. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.560269. eCollection 2020.

    PubMed 33329304
  • Hammer A, Tregubow A, Kerry G, Schrey M, Hammer C, Steiner HH. Predictors for Recurrence of Chronic Subdural Hematoma. Turk Neurosurg. 2017;27(5):756-762. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.17347-16.1.

    PubMed 27593834
  • Miranda LB, Braxton E, Hobbs J, Quigley MR. Chronic subdural hematoma in the elderly: not a benign disease. J Neurosurg. 2011 Jan;114(1):72-6. doi: 10.3171/2010.8.JNS10298. Epub 2010 Sep 24.

    PubMed 20868215
  • Weigel R, Schmiedek P, Krauss JK. Outcome of contemporary surgery for chronic subdural haematoma: evidence based review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003 Jul;74(7):937-43. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.74.7.937.

    PubMed 12810784
  • Liu W, Bakker NA, Groen RJ. Chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical procedures. J Neurosurg. 2014 Sep;121(3):665-73. doi: 10.3171/2014.5.JNS132715. Epub 2014 Jul 4.

    PubMed 24995782
  • Peng Z, Ban K, LeBlanc A, Kozar RA. Intraluminal tranexamic acid inhibits intestinal sheddases and mitigates gut and lung injury and inflammation in a rodent model of hemorrhagic shock. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016 Aug;81(2):358-65. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000001056.

    PubMed 27027557

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Tranexamic acid (TXA) in people with Subdural Hematoma, run by Unity Health Toronto at 1 site in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 25 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Michael D Cusimano, MD, PhD (416-864-5312, injuryprevention@smh.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level Version (EQ-5D-5L) (time frame: Every 2 weeks after randomization up to 45±10 days.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05713630, which also lists 68 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 May 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in