Tranexamic Acid for The Management of Bleeding Gastrointestinal Angioectasias

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if oral tranexamic acid works to treat gastrointestinal angioectasias. It will also learn about the safety of tranexamic acid. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does tranexamic improve hemoglobin concentration and/or requirement for blood transfusions What medical problems do participants have when taking tranexamic acid? Researchers will compare tranexamic acid to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if it works to treat angioectasias. Participants will: Take tranexamic acid or a placebo three times per day, every day for 3 months Visit the clinic once per month for checkups and tests

Currently, the mainstay of treatment for intestinal angioectasias (AEs) includes endoscopic ablation combined with octreotide and iron supplementation. However, many patients continue to suffer from persistent or recurrent symptomatic anemia and often require repeated hospitalizations for blood transfusions. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a hemostatic agent that has the potential to be beneficial in patients with small bowel gastrointestinal bleeding. Through a literature review multiple case reports have highlighted the impact TXA treatment can have on patients with intestinal AEs. This study would help determine the potential additive effect of TXA in patients with symptomatic anemia due to gastrointestinal AEs. Further, the researchers seek to expand the applications of TXA with the goal of decreasing morbidity and mortality. In the randomized control trial portion of the study, the researchers will enroll approximately 50 patients with diagnosed intestinal AEs through video capsule endoscopy and/or endoscopy who experience symptomatic anemia despite standard therapy including endoscopic ablation and iron supplementation. Subjects will be randomized to either the TXA treatment group versus the placebo treatment group for 3 months. Patients will have initial complete blood counts (CBC) measured as a baseline then subsequent CBCs measured at 1, 2 and 3 months. Patients will be monitored for drug side effects, symptoms related to anemia, the need for blood transfusions and hospitalizations related to gastrointestinal bleeding/anemia.