Effect of tranexamic acid on gastric bleeding in rats

Bleeding from an induced gastric mucosal wound was monitored for 2 h in a rat model, in which normal hemostasis was disturbed mechanically by perfusing the lesion with saline. The hemorrhage was characterized by continuous bleeding and/or episodes of spontaneous rebleeding, as often seen in patients with gastric hemorrhage. The antifibrinolytic agent, tranexamic acid, significantly reduced total bleeding volume and number of rebleeding episodes, suggesting that plasmin-induced fibrinolysis might aggravate gastric mucosal hemorrhage.