# Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage: identifying pregnant women at risk and determining the safe and effective use of tranexamic acid using state-of-the-art pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics modeling

> **NIH NIH K23** · GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $155,174

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The primary goal of this proposal is to help further my development into an independent investigator in the area
translational and clinical peripartum hemostasis research. With my clinical background in Maternal-Fetal
Medicine and research experiences in epidemiologic and translational study methods, I am ideally positioned
to succeed through the NIH K23 Career Mentored Development Award mechanism. The proposed study
focuses on improving methods to identify women at risk for postpartum hemorrhage and evaluate the optimal
dosing of tranexamic acid (TXA) for prevention in at risk women. The specific aims are as follows: 1) To
improve the statistical risk prediction model for deliveries requiring blood transfusion, 2) To conduct a
prospective clinical pharmacokinetic study using TXA prophylactically at time of delivery, and 3) To determine
the pharmacodynamics (PD) of TXA in peripartum period and explore pre-delivery markers to predict
peripartum blood transfusion. Collectively, these aims will better identify women at greatest risk for severe
postpartum hemorrhage and determine the optimal dosing and effects of TXA on hemostasis when used for
prevention of hemorrhage. I have identified excellent mentors and collaborators/advisors on her research team
to help accomplish the outlined aims. The multidisciplinary nature of the project justifies a larger mentorship
team in order for me to be successful. The primary mentor is Dr. John van den Anker, an internationally
recognized expert in pharmacokinetic research and translational studies who is well-funded by NIH. My three
other co-mentors include Dr. Madeline Rice, a senior epidemiologist at the GW Biostatistics Center, Dr.
Richard Amdur, a senior biostatistician at GW Medical Faculty Associates and Dr. Naomi Luban, an
internationally recognized and NIH-funded pediatric transfusion medicine expert. Important to my successful
completion of Aim 2 is collaboration with GW obstetric anesthesiologist Dr. Jeffrey Berger. Finally, two
additional senior investigators and internationally recognized experts are Dr. Alisa Wolberg and Dr. Andra
James. Their collaboration and career mentorship will help ensure my success during and especially beyond
this award. I will participate in coursework and focused workshops as well as hands-on training designed to
promote investigator independence. I will benefit from an ideal working environment, rooted in the Clinical and
Translational Science Institute partnering GW and Children’s National Medical Center but also extended
through supplemental training at the GW Biostatistics Center and Dr. Wolberg’s hemostasis and thrombosis
lab. In summary, this proposal sets forth aims that are significant, innovative and feasible, and will provide me
with the tools and mentorship to develop into an independent investigator working to better understand how
peripartum hemostasis can be optimized using tranexamic acid.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10406309
- **Project number:** 5K23HL141640-04
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Homa Khorrami Ahmadzia
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $155,174
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10406309

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10406309, Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage: identifying pregnant women at risk and determining the safe and effective use of tranexamic acid using state-of-the-art pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics modeling (5K23HL141640-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10406309. Licensed CC0.

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