Effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss in pediatric cardiac surgery: a randomized trial

The Effectiveness of Prehospital Administration of Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Mortality in Trauma Patients: An Overview

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic drug that reduces bleeding by inhibiting plasminogen activation and fibrin clot degradation. Its role in prehospital trauma management remains unclear. This article aims to systematically review the current evidence on the effect of prehospital TXA administration on mortality in adult and pediatric trauma patients. A literature search was conducted of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from March 2023 to August 2023 for studies evaluating the impact of prehospital TXA use on trauma mortality. Inclusion criteria were articles published in the English language in the past 20 years focusing on clinical outcomes of prehospital TXA administration. Data on all-cause mortality, thromboembolic events, and time to TXA administration were extracted. In adult trauma, prehospital TXA appears to reduce early all-cause mortality when given within three hours of injury without increasing thromboembolic risks. Some studies found decreased delayed mortality, while others found no difference. In pediatric trauma, preliminary evidence suggests TXA may lower in-hospital mortality in hemodynamically unstable patients, though higher doses may increase seizure risk. Early prehospital administration of TXA within three hours of adult trauma may reduce mortality through improved hemorrhage control. Potential benefits in pediatric trauma warrant further investigation, balancing efficacy against safety risks such as seizures from high doses. Well-designed randomized trials are needed to validate optimal TXA dosing strategies across age groups and injury severity levels.

Topical and Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Acyanotic Children Undergoing Congenital Heart Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative bleeding is a common complication in congenital heart surgery. We aimed to evaluate effects of topical and intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) administration on postoperative hemoglobin and bleeding in children with acyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD).

METHODS

In this randomized clinical trial, 50 acyanotic CHD children were allocated into two groups of topical (n = 25) and infusion (n = 25). Children in the infusion group were given intravenous TXA 50 mg/kg^-1 after sternotomy. Children in topical group were given 50 mg/kg^-1 TXA added to 20 mL of saline intrapericardially before sternal closure. Primary endpoint of study was comparison of postoperative hemoglobin and bleeding between topical and infusion groups. A linear mixed model (LMM) was used to estimate longitudinal changes in postoperative endpoints.

RESULTS

We did not observe significant differences in children's characteristics between two groups. Also, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes did not differ between two groups but children with intravenous TXA experienced significantly longer intubation time than topical children (P = 0.047). LMM analysis revealed that postoperative bleeding in topical group was lower compared to infusion group (P = 0.036). Also, age of children had a significant effect on mean changes of hemoglobin during postoperative care (β = -0.27, P = 0.030). No children died and none had serious postoperative complications such as seizures and reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that topical TXA is not superior to intravenous administration in management of blood loss. Also, no additional effect was found about topical TXA in further reducing transfusion rates and postoperative complications in acyanotic CHD children undergoing cardiac surgery.

Prophylactic Use of Antifibrinolytics During Pediatric Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass on Postoperative Bleeding and Transfusion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of intraoperative antifibrinolytics, including tranexamic acid (TXA), aminocaproic acid (EACA), or aprotinin, on bleeding in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

DATA SOURCES

Relevant articles were systematically searched from Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to November 15, 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

Abstracts were screened, and full texts were reviewed using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guideline.

DATA EXTRACTION

A standardized data extraction tool was used.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Sixty-eight studies including 28,735 patients were analyzed. TXA compared with placebo resulted in a mean decrease in chest tube output of 9.1 mL/kg (95% CI, 6.0-12.3 mL/kg), I2 equals to 65.2%, p value of less than 0.001, platelet requirement of 2.9 mL/kg (95% CI, 0.1-5.8 mL/kg), I2 =72.5%, p value less than 0.001 and plasma requirement of 4.0 mL/kg (95% CI, 0.6-7.2 mL/kg), I2 equals to 94.5%, p value less than0.001. Aprotinin compared with placebo resulted in a mean decrease in chest tube output of 4.3 mL/kg (2.4-6.2 mL/kg), I2 equals to 66.3%, p value of less than 0.001, platelet transfusion of 4.6 mL/kg (95% CI, 0.6-8.6 mL/kg), I2 equals to 93.6%, p value of less than 0.001, and plasma transfusion of 7.7 mL/kg (95% CI, 2.1-13.2 mL/kg), I2 equals to 95.3%, p value of less than 0.001. EACA compared with placebo resulted in a mean decrease in chest tube output of 9.2 mL/kg (2.3-21.0 mL/kg), I2 equals to 96.4%, p value of less than 0.001, RBC transfusion of 7.2 mL/kg (95% CI, 2.4-12.1 mL/kg), I2 equals to 94.5%, p value equals to 0.002, and platelet transfusion of 10.7 mL/kg (95% CI, 2.9-18.5 mL/kg), I2 equals to 0%, p value of less than 0.001. No statistical difference was observed in chest tube output when TXA was compared with aprotinin. Subgroup analysis of cyanotic patients showed a significant decrease in chest tube output, platelet requirement, and plasma requirement for patients receiving aprotinin. Overall, the quality of evidence was moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

Antifibrinolytics are effective at decreasing blood loss and blood product requirement in children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB although the quality of evidence is only moderate.

Treatment Algorithm for Patients With von Willebrand Syndrome Type 2A and Congenital Heart Disease-A Treatment Algorithm May Reduce Perioperative Blood Loss in Children With Congenital Heart Disease

OBJECTIVES

In children with congenital heart disease (CHD), excessive perioperative bleeding is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, thus making adequate perioperative hemostasis crucial. We investigate the prevalence of acquired von Willebrand syndrome type 2A (aVWS) in CHD and develop a treatment algorithm for patients with aVWS and CHD (TAPAC) to reduce perioperative blood loss.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Single-center study.

PATIENTS

A total of 627 patients with CHD, undergoing corrective cardiac surgery between January 2008 and May 2017.

INTERVENTIONS

The evaluation of perioperative bleeding risk was based on the laboratory parameters von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen, ristocetin cofactor activity, platelet function analyzer (PFA) closure time adenosine diphosphate, and PFA epinephrine. According to the bleeding risk, treatment was performed with desmopressin or VWF.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

aVWS was confirmed in 63.3 %, with a prevalence of 45.5% in the moderate and 66.3 % in the high-risk group. In addition, prevalence increased with ascending peak velocity above the stenosis (v max ) from 40.0% at less than or equal to 3 m/s to 83.3% at greater than 5 m/s. TAPAC reduced mean blood loss by 36.3% in comparison with a historical control cohort ( p < 0.001), without increasing the number of thrombotic or thromboembolic events during the hospital stay. With ascending v max , there was an increase in perioperative blood loss in the historical cohort ( p < 0.001), which was not evident in the TAPAC cohort ( p = 0.230).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of aVWS in CHD seems to be higher than assumed and leads to significantly higher perioperative blood loss, especially at high v max . Identifying these patients through appropriate laboratory analytics and adequate treatment could reduce blood loss effectively.

Tranexamic acid reduces postoperative blood loss in Chinese pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid has been increasingly used for blood conservation in cardiac surgery. However, the evidence supporting the routine use of tranexamic acid in Chinese pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery remains weak. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically review the efficacy of tranexamic acid when applying to Chinese pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

PARTICIPANTS

Chinese pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Tranexamic acid or control drugs (saline/blank).

METHODS

PUBMED, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and VIP Data till May 4, 2021, database search was updated on August 1. Primary outcomes of interest included postoperative bleeding, allogeneic transfusion, and reoperation for bleeding. Secondary outcomes of interest included postoperative recovery. For continuous/dichotomous variables, treatment effects were calculated as weighted mean difference (WMD)/odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

A database search yielded 15 randomized controlled trials including 1641 patients, where 8 studies were allocated into non-cyanotic congenital group, 5 were allocated into cyanotic congenital group, and the other 2 were allocated into combined cyanotic/non-cyanotic group. This meta-analysis demonstrate that tranexamic acid administration can reduce the postoperative 24 hours blood loss in non-cyanotic, cyanotic, and combined cyanotic/non-cyanotic patients, the red blood cell transfusion in non-cyanotic and cyanotic patients, and the fresh frozen plasma transfusion in non-cyanotic and combined cyanotic/non-cyanotic patients.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis demonstrates that tranexamic acid is highly effective in reducing the blood loss in Chinese pediatric cardiac surgery, but it behaves poorly when it comes to the transfusion requirement. To further confirm this, more well-designed and adequately-powered randomized trials are needed.

The design of a Bayesian adaptive clinical trial of tranexamic acid in severely injured children

BACKGROUND

Trauma is the leading cause of death and disability in children in the USA. Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces the blood transfusion requirements in adults and children during surgery. Several studies have evaluated TXA in adults with hemorrhagic trauma, but no randomized controlled trials have occurred in children with trauma. We propose a Bayesian adaptive clinical trial to investigate TXA in children with brain and/or torso hemorrhagic trauma.

METHODS/DESIGN

We designed a double-blind, Bayesian adaptive clinical trial that will enroll up to 2000 patients. We extend the traditional Emax dose-response model to incorporate a hierarchical structure so multiple doses of TXA can be evaluated in different injury populations (isolated head injury, isolated torso injury, or both head and torso injury). Up to 3 doses of TXA (15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 45 mg/kg bolus doses) will be compared to placebo. Equal allocation between placebo, 15 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg will be used for an initial period within each injury group. Depending on the dose-response curve, the 45 mg/kg arm may open in an injury group if there is a trend towards increasing efficacy based on the observed relationship using the data from the lower doses. Response-adaptive randomization allows each injury group to differ in allocation proportions of TXA so an optimal dose can be identified for each injury group. Frequent interim stopping periods are included to evaluate efficacy and futility. The statistical design is evaluated through extensive simulations to determine the operating characteristics in several plausible scenarios. This trial achieves adequate power in each injury group.

DISCUSSION

This trial design evaluating TXA in pediatric hemorrhagic trauma allows for three separate injury populations to be analyzed and compared within a single study framework. Individual conclusions regarding optimal dosing of TXA can be made within each injury group. Identifying the optimal dose of TXA, if any, for various injury types in childhood may reduce death and disability.

Effects of Tranexamic Acid on Bleeding in Pediatric Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Major pediatric surgeries can cause severe intraoperative blood loss. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) in pediatric surgeries.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from the conception to March 31, 2021 to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the efficacy of TXA in pediatric surgeries. Two reviewers choosed studies, evaluated quality, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias independently. Mean difference (MD) was calculated as the summary statistic for continuous data. We used a random-effects model to measure mean effects. Data were generated from the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) using RevMan 5.3 software. Primary outcomes included intraoperative and postoperative blood loss, red blood cell (RBC) transfusion as well as fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion.

Results: Fifteen studies enrolling 1,332 patients were included in this study. The pooled outcomes demonstrated that TXA was associated with a decreased intraoperative (MD = −1.57 mL/kg, 95% CI, −2.54 to −0.60, P = 0.002) and postoperative (MD = −7.85 mL/kg, 95% CI, −10.52 to −5.19, P < 0.001) blood loss, a decreased intraoperative (MD = −7.08 mL/kg, 95% CI, −8.01 to −6.16, P < 0.001) and postoperative (MD = −5.30 mL/kg, 95% CI, −6.89 to −3.70, P < 0.001) RBC transfusion, as well as a decreased intraoperative (MD = −2.74 mL/kg, 95% CI, −4.54 to −0.94, P = 0.003) and postoperative (MD = −6.09 mL/kg, 95% CI, −8.26 to −3.91, P < 0.001) FFP transfusion in pediatric surgeries. However, no significant difference was noted between two groups in duration of surgery (MD = −12.51 min, 95% CI −36.65 to 11.63, P = 0.31). Outcomes of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss and the duration of surgery in included studies were not pooled due to the high heterogeneity.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that TXA was beneficial for bleeding in pediatric surgeries.

Antifibrinolytic Drugs for the Prevention of Bleeding in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery on Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Bleeding is one of the commonest complications affecting children undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass. Antifibrinolytic drugs are part of a multifaceted approach aimed at reducing bleeding, though sufficiently sized pediatric studies are sparse, and dosing algorithms are heterogeneous. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antifibrinolytic agents as well as the effectiveness of different dosing regimens in pediatric cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating randomized controlled trials published between 1980 and 2019, identified by searching the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and CENTRAL. All studies investigating patients <18 years of age without underlying hematological disorders were included. The primary outcome was postoperative bleeding; secondary end points included blood product transfusion, mortality, and safety (thromboses, anaphylaxis, renal or neurological dysfunction, and seizures). Different dosing regimens were compared. Studies were dual appraised, outcomes were reported descriptively and, if appropriate, quantitatively using the Review Manager 5 (REVMAN 5) software (The Cochrane Collaboration).

RESULTS

Thirty of 209 articles were included, evaluating the following drugs versus control: aprotinin n = 14, tranexamic acid (TXA) n = 12, and epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) n = 4. The number of participants per intervention group ranged from 11 to 100 (median, 25; interquartile range [IQR], 20.5) with a wide age span (mean, 13 days to 5.8 years) and weight range (mean, 3.1-26.3 kg). Methodological quality was low to moderate.All agents reduced mean 24-hour blood loss compared to control: aprotinin by 6.0 mL/kg (95% confidence interval [CI], -9.1 to -3.0; P = .0001), TXA by 9.0 mL/kg (95% CI, -11.3 to -6.8; P < .00001), and EACA by 10.5 mL/kg (95% CI, -21.1 to 0.0; P = .05). Heterogeneity was low for TXA (I2 = 29%; P = .19), moderate for aprotinin (I2 = 41%; P = .11), and high for EACA (I2 = 95%; P = <.00001). All agents also reduced 24-hour blood product transfusion. There was no clear dose-response effect for TXA nor aprotinin. Studies were underpowered to detect significant differences in mortality, thromboses, anaphylaxis, and renal or neurological dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

The available data demonstrate efficacy for all 3 antifibrinolytic drugs. Therefore, the agent with the most favorable safety profile should be used. As sufficient data are lacking, large comparative trials are warranted to assess the relative safety and appropriate dosing regimens in pediatrics.

Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage control with nebulized tranexamic acid: A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate nebulized tranexamic acid (TXA) as a treatment to reduce the need for an operation to control a post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH).

METHODS

Based on a successful case report of a child treated with nebulized TXA for PTH in 2018, our institution began to treat PTH patients with three doses of nebulized TXA. To evaluate the outcomes of this non-invasive management, we conducted a three-year retrospective cohort study of children presenting with PTH from 2016 to 2019. Demographics, insurance, and laboratory information were collected from all pediatric tonsillectomies with and without adenoidectomy performed during the study period. Tonsillar fossae observations of bleeding and clot were documented before and after receiving TXA.

RESULTS

The incidence of pediatric PTH at our institution during the study period was 5.4%. Fourteen out of 58 PTH patients received nebulized TXA. Receiving nebulized TXA had no adverse events and over 60% showed resolution of bleeding on exam. Receiving nebulized TXA compared to routine care decreased the need for an operation to restore hemostasis by 44%, p < 0.005. There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, hemoglobin, platelet count, trainee presence, or Medicaid status between the children that received TXA and those that did not.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of PTH with nebulized TXA may be a safe first-line therapy to decrease the need for operative control of bleeding. This data suggests that a large clinical trial is needed to determine the efficacy of nebulized TXA to mitigate this common and potentially fatal post-operative complication.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Efficacy and Safety of Antifibrinolytic Drugs in Pediatric Surgery: A Systematic Review

Antifibrinolytic drugs are used to reduce blood loss and subsequent transfusions during surgery and following trauma, but the optimal dosing regimen in the pediatric population is still unresolved. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate efficacy and safety of antifibrinolytic drugs in pediatric surgery and trauma to determine the optimal dosing regimen. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science on May 3, 2020. We included randomized controlled studies investigating the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA), aprotinin, and epsilon-aminocaproic acid, in terms of reducing blood loss, blood transfusions, reoperations, and rebleeds in pediatric patients aged 0 to 18 years undergoing cardiac surgery, noncardiac surgery, or trauma. Fifty randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included; 28 RCTs investigated cardiac surgery and 22 investigated noncardiac surgery. No RCTs regarding trauma met the inclusion criteria. All antifibrinolytic drugs reduced postoperative blood loss and transfusions when used in pediatric surgery. The dosing regimen varied between studies, but similar effect sizes were found in terms of reduced blood loss regardless of the cumulative dose used. Few studies found adverse events, and no difference in incidence or type of adverse events was seen between the antifibrinolytic and the placebo group. In conclusion, use of antifibrinolytics is efficient and safe in children undergoing surgery. We propose TXA as the drug of choice based on its level of evidence and safety profile; we recommend a dosing regimen composed of a loading dose of 10 to 15 mg/kg prior to surgery followed by 1 to 5 mg/kg/h as continuous infusion throughout surgery.

The synergistic effect of tranexamic acid and ethamsylate combination on blood loss in pediatric cardiac surgery

Background:

Pediatric patients are at risk for bleeding after cardiac surgery. Administration of antifibrinolytic agents reduces postoperative blood loss.

Objective:

Evaluation of the efficacy of combined administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) and ethamsylate in the reduction of postoperative blood loss in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Methods:

This prospective randomized study included 126 children submitted for cardiac surgery, and they were allocated into three groups: control group (n = 42); TXA group (n = 42):- received only TXA; and combined ethamsylate TXA group (n = 42):- received a combination of TXA and ethamsylate. The main collected data included sternal closure time, the needs for intraoperative transfusion of blood and its products, the total amount of blood loss, and the amount of the whole blood and its products transfused to the patients in the first 24 postoperative hours.

Results:

Blood loss volume in the first 24 postoperative hours was significantly smaller in combined group than the TXA and control groups and was significantly smaller in the TXA group than the control group. The sternal closure time was significantly shorter in the combined group than the other 2 groups and significantly shorter in TXA than the control group. The amount of whole blood transfused to patients in the combined group during surgery and in the first postoperative 24 h was significantly smaller than the other 2 groups and smaller in TXA group than the control group during surgery.

Conclusion:

Combined administration of ethamsylate and TXA in pediatric cardiac surgery was more effective in reducing postoperative blood loss and whole blood transfusion requirements than the administration of TXA alone.

Topical versus low-dose systemic tranexamic acid in pediatric cardiac surgery: A randomized clinical study

OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed to compare the benefits of topical and low-dose systemic tranexamic acid administration in pediatric cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A total of 117 children undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease were assigned into three groups. Patients in the systemic group received 20 mg/kg^-1 tranexamic acid through the cardiopulmonary bypass followed by another dose of 20 mg/kg^-1 after cardiopulmonary bypass separation. Patients in the topical group were administered with 50 mg/kg^-1 tranexamic acid poured into the pericardium, while the control group received no antifibrinolytics. The outcome measures of bleeding and blood products transfusion were recorded over the first 48 h postoperatively.

RESULTS

Chest tube drainage was significantly lower in both topical and systemic groups than the control group, but it did not differ between the case groups. Blood products requirement did not show a difference between groups. Neurological or thromboembolic events did not variate among the groups, and no deaths occurred in this study.

CONCLUSION

Topical or systemic tranexamic acid administration reduced postoperative blood loss effectively without adding an extra risk.

Transfusion support: Considerations in pediatric populations

Over 400,000 units of blood and blood products are transfused to pediatric patients annually, yet only sparse high-quality data exist to guide the preparation and administration of blood products in this population. The direct application of data from studies in adult patients should be undertaken with caution, as there are dissimilarities in the pathology and physiology between adult and pediatric patients. We provide an overview of available evidence in the field of pediatric transfusion medicine, summarizing indications for blood product transfusion, thresholds for transfusion and indications for blood product modifications.

Safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid in paediatric cardiac surgery: study protocol for a double-blind randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

An initial retrospective study suggested that tranexamic acid (TXA) administration increased the incidence of seizures in paediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, the efficacy of TXA in paediatric cardiac surgery remains unclear owing to the small sample sizes of the studies. Therefore, this study will investigate the efficacy and safety of TXA in paediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We hypothesised that TXA may increase the incidence of postoperative seizures with no effect on postoperative allogeneic transfusion in paediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The pragmatic study will provide important implications for paediatric cardiac surgery.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This will be a single-centre prospective, double-blind randomised controlled trial. The plan is to enrol in the study 2090 paediatric patients aged 31 days to 7 years who will be undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). All eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the TXA or placebo group by using a Web-based randomisation service in a 1:1 ratio. The primary safety end point will be postoperative seizures until hospital discharge, and the primary efficacy end point will be the volume of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion after termination of CPB. All patients will be followed up for 1 year postdischarge. All data will be analysed in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved by the institutional review board of Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (No 20191195). Written informed consent will be obtained from the parents/legal guardian of each patient because all participants will be <18 years of age. The results of the trial will be published in an international peer-reviewed journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR1900024131).

Tranexamic Acid Decreases Blood Transfusion Burden in Open Craniosynostosis Surgery Without Operative Compromise

In the surgical management of craniosynostosis, there is a high red blood cell (RBC) transfusion burden due to the small blood volume of the patients combined with significant blood loss that can occur with open surgery (OS). Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic which has been shown to decrease such a burden in particular surgeries. The aim of this study was to compare the operative outcomes of craniosynostosis OS which did and did not utilize TXA. Searches of 7 electronic databases from inception to February 2018 were conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. There were 206 articles screened against selection criteria for inclusion. Relevant data were extracted and analyzed using meta-analysis of proportions. A total of 9 comparative studies were included for meta-analysis. Compared with the control cohort, craniosynostosis OS utilizing TXA demonstrated significantly lower intraoperative RBC transfusion volumes (mean difference, -8.25 mL/kg; P < 0.001), blood loss (mean difference, -10.96 mL/kg; P < 0.001) and postoperative RBC transfusion incidence (odds ratio, OR, 0.12; P = 0.005). Fresh frozen plasma and crystalloid transfusion, operation time, length of stay, and complications were not significantly different with TXA use. Based on the comparative evidence currently available, TXA significantly decreased RBC transfusion burden during craniosynostosis OS without operative compromise. There is significant heterogeneity in reported TXA regimes in the literature. Future studies that are larger, randomized, and account for these factors will further enhance the authors' understanding.

Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Experience

Aims: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Using a retrospective cohort study design, 2,026 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent surgical repair of atrial or ventricular septal defect or complete repair of Tetralogy of Fallot were included, and divided into a control group and a TXA group. Results: Compared with that in the control group, there were statistically significant reduction of both the 12-h and total postoperative blood loss in the TXA group [6.573 ± 0.144 vs. 5.499 ± 0.133 ml kg^-1, mean difference (MD) 1.074 ml kg^-1, p < 0.001; 12.183 ± 0.298 vs. 9.973 ± 0.276 ml kg^-1, MD, 2.210 ml kg^-1, p < 0.001]. There was a statistically significant reduction of the MD of 12-h postoperative blood loss due to TXA in patients aged < 1 year compared with that in patients aged ≥1 year (MD, 1.544 vs. 0.681 ml kg-1, P = 0.007). There were statistically significant reduction of the MD of both the 12-h and total postoperative blood loss due to TXA in patients weighing < 10 kg compared with that in patients weighing ≥10 kg (MD, 1.542 vs. 0.456 ml kg-1, P < 0.001, and MD, 2.195 vs. 0.929 ml kg-1, P = 0.036, respectively). There was a statistically significant reduction of the MD of total postoperative blood loss due to TXA in cyanotic patients compared with that in acyanotic patients (MD, 3.381 vs. 1.038 ml kg^-1, P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the postoperative volume or exposure of allogeneic transfusion, in-hospital morbidity or mortality between the groups. Conclusions: TXA took effects in reduction of postoperative blood loss but not the allogeneic transfusion requirement in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery, particularly in infants weighing < 10 kg and cyanotic children. Moreover, the study suggested the use of TXA was safe in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Exclusion criteria and adverse events in perioperative trials of tranexamic acid: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an inexpensive therapy effective at minimizing perioperative blood loss and transfusion. However, it remains underutilized due to safety concerns. To date, no evidence-based guidelines exist identifying which patients should not receive TXA therapy. This study determined patient groups for whom safety information regarding TXA is lacking due to common exclusion from perioperative TXA trials.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A systematic review searching the databases Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Clinicaltrials.gov was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) administering systemic TXA perioperatively to elective or emergent surgery patients were eligible. Our primary outcome was to describe exclusion criteria of RCTs, and the secondary outcome was TXA safety. A descriptive synthesis of exclusion criteria was performed, and TXA safety was assessed by meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 268 eligible RCTs were included. Meta-analysis showed that systemic TXA did not increase risk of adverse events compared to placebo or no intervention (relative risk, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.12). Patient groups commonly excluded from perioperative TXA trials, and thus potentially lacking TXA safety data, were those with major comorbidities, a history of thromboembolism, medication use affecting coagulation, TXA allergy, and coagulopathy. Exclusion of patients with major comorbidities may not be necessary; we showed that the risk of adverse events was similar in studies that excluded patients with major comorbidities and those that did not.

CONCLUSION

Sufficient evidence exists to develop perioperative guidelines for TXA use in many populations. Further studies evaluating perioperative TXA use in patients with a history of thromboembolism are warranted.

Traumatic injury clinical trial evaluating tranexamic acid in children (TIC-TOC): study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background

Trauma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children in the United States. The antifibrinolytic drug tranexamic acid (TXA) improves survival in adults with traumatic hemorrhage, however, the drug has not been evaluated in a clinical trial in severely injured children. We designed the Traumatic Injury Clinical Trial Evaluating Tranexamic Acid in Children (TIC-TOC) trial to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a confirmatory clinical trial that evaluates the effects of TXA in children with severe trauma and hemorrhagic injuries.

Methods

Children with severe trauma and evidence of hemorrhagic torso or brain injuries will be randomized to one of three arms: (1) TXA dose A (15 mg/kg bolus dose over 20 min, followed by 2 mg/kg/hr infusion over 8 h), (2) TXA dose B (30 mg/kg bolus dose over 20 min, followed by 4 mg/kg/hr infusion over 8 h), or (3) placebo. We will use permuted-block randomization by injury type: hemorrhagic brain injury, hemorrhagic torso injury, and combined hemorrhagic brain and torso injury. The trial will be conducted at four pediatric Level I trauma centers. We will collect the following outcome measures: global functioning as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) and Pediatric Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOS-E Peds), working memory (digit span test), total amount of blood products transfused in the initial 48 h, intracranial hemorrhage progression at 24 h, coagulation biomarkers, and adverse events (specifically thromboembolic events and seizures).

Discussion

This multicenter trial will provide important preliminary data and assess the feasibility of conducting a confirmatory clinical trial that evaluates the benefits of TXA in children with severe trauma and hemorrhagic injuries to the torso and/or brain.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT02840097. Registered on 14 July 2016.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-2974-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Tranexamic Acid Reduces Blood Loss in Craniosynostosis Surgery

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed 79 patients with craniosynostosis who underwent either bifrontal or biparietal-occipital calvarial vault remodeling before institution of tranexamic acid (TXA) administration (non-TXA group) and 35 patients after institution of TXA administration (TXA group). The patients were analyzed in 2 groups: all open calvarial vault remodeling patients (anterior and posterior) as a whole, and anterior vaults only as a subset analysis. Primary outcomes accessed were: total intraoperative blood transfused, postoperative blood transfused, and estimated blood loss (EBL). Secondary outcomes evaluated were length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit and hospital length of stay.

RESULTS

When comparing all open calvarial vault remodeling patients, patients who received TXA required significantly less total blood transfusion during their operation (264 cc TXA group versus 428 cc non-TXA, P < 0.0001). Patients who received TXA required no blood transfusions postoperatively, compared with the non-TXA group, in which 45% of patients required postoperative blood transfusion. Weight-based EBL was also significantly lower in those patients receiving TXA (25 cc/kg in the TXA group versus 34 cc/kg in the non-TXA group [P = 0.0143]). All patients required transfusion intraoperatively. Pediatric intensive care unit length of stay was shorter in the TXA group, but there was no significant difference in total hospital length of stay. These findings also reached statistical significance when comparing only the anterior vault patients.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative TXA administration has a correlation with reduced blood transfusion requirements, as well as EBL, in patients undergoing open calvarial vault remodeling. There were no adverse events related to TXA administration.

Protocol for a pilot, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of prophylactic use of tranexamic acid for preventing postpartum haemorrhage (TAPPH-1)

INTRODUCTION

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the availability of multiple uterotonic agents, the incidence of PPH continues to rise. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to be a safe, effective and inexpensive therapeutic option for the treatment of PPH, however, its use prophylactically in mitigating the risk of PPH is unknown. This pragmatic randomised prospective trial assesses the feasibility and safety of administering TXA at the time of delivery for the prevention of PPH.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A pilot pragmatic randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled trial will be performed. 58 singleton parturients at term >32 weeks, undergoing either spontaneous vaginal delivery, or caesarean section will be randomised to receive 1 g of TXA or placebo (0.9% saline) intravenously. The primary outcome assessed will be the feasibility of administrating TXA, along with collecting data regarding safety of drug administration. The groups will also be analysed on efficacy of mitigating the onset of PPH and clinically relevant variables. Demographic, feasibility, safety and clinical endpoints will be summarised and the appropriate measures of central tendency and dispersion will be presented.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This protocol was approved by the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Research Ethics Board (number: 418-2016). The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and at scientific meetings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03069859; Pre-results.

Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Nationwide Database Study

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to examine the association between tranexamic acid (TXA) use and adverse effects (seizures, thromboembolism, and renal dysfunction) in a pediatric cardiac surgery population using a national inpatient database in Japan. The authors also assessed the association between TXA use and other clinical outcomes (length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality).

DESIGN

A nationwide, retrospective cohort study using propensity score analyses.

SETTING

Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database.

PARTICIPANTS

Pediatric patients who underwent cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass between July 2010 and March 2014 (N = 11,275).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Propensity-score matching created 3,739 pairs of patients with and without TXA administration. Propensity-matched analysis showed that the proportion of seizures was significantly higher in the TXA group than in the non-TXA group (1.6% v 0.2%, difference, 1.4%; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.9; p<0.001). However, none of the other outcomes was significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

TXA use is associated with a significantly increased risk of seizures. However, there is no difference in any other outcomes between the TXA and non-TXA groups.

Hemorrhagic Shock

Hemorrhagic shock has been studied extensively in the adult population, but evidence is lacking in the pediatric population. Unlike adults, pediatric patients tolerate hypovolemia with less hypotension until they have reached significant blood volume loss. It is imperative they receive prompt intravenous access, crystalloid resuscitation, followed by blood product transfusion. A hemoglobin goal of 7 g/dL has been translated to the pediatric population without evidence of poor outcomes. Massive transfusion protocols involving a 1:1:1 ratio of red blood cells:fresh frozen plasma:platelets has been recommended although further evidence is needed. With the transfusion of multiple blood products, consideration must be taken into account for the side effects, including electrolyte imbalance and lung injury.

Continuous or discontinuous tranexamic acid effectively inhibits fibrinolysis in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

Tranexamic acid is given continuously or discontinuously as an anti-fibrinolytic therapy during cardiac surgery, but the effects on fibrinolysis parameters remain poorly investigated. We sought to assess the effects of continuous and discontinuous tranexamic acid on fibrinolysis parameters in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Children requiring cardiac surgery or repeat surgery by sternotomy with CPB for congenital heart disease were randomized to receive either continuous or discontinuous tranexamic acid. Blood tranexamic acid, D-dimers, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), tPA-plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (tPA-PAI1) complexes, fibrinogen and fibrin monomers were measured and compared to values obtained from children who did not receive tranexamic acid. Tranexamic acid inhibited the CPB-induced increase in D-dimers, with a similar potency between continuous and discontinuous regimens. Time courses for tPA, fibrin monomers, and fibrinogen were also similar for both regimen, and there was a significant difference in tPA-PAI1 complex concentrations at the end of surgery, which may be related to a significantly higher tranexamic acid concentration. Continuous and discontinuous regimen are suitable for an effective inhibition of fibrinolysis in children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, but the continuous regimen was previously shown to be more effective to maintain stable tranexamic acid concentrations.

Randomized blinded study comparing a bipolar sealer and standard electrocautery in reducing transfusion requirements in anterior supine intermuscular total hip arthroplasty

Managing blood loss in total hip arthroplasty (THA) minimizes complications and decreases cost. Tissue-sparing anterior supine intermuscular THA (ASI-THA) may offer a quicker recovery but increases blood loss and transfusion requirements. This double-blinded prospective study compared a bipolar sealer (Aquamantys 6.0 bipolar sealer) to standard monopolar electrocautery in reducing blood loss in ASI-THA. Differences in calculated actual blood loss (ABL), hemoglobin, and transfusion requirements were examined. One hundred hips were randomized to each group. Transfusion rates were similar, 6% and 4%, respectively (p>0.05). ABL and change in hemoglobin were identical (1.35 and 3.3g). No significant differences in transfusion, blood loss, or hemoglobin were seen with a bipolar sealer device. Routine use of this bipolar sealer device has been discontinued in ASI-THA.

Antifibrinolytic agents in current anaesthetic practice

Antifibrinolytic drugs have become almost ubiquitous in their use during major surgery when bleeding is expected or commonplace. Inhibition of the fibrinolytic pathway after tissue injury has been consistently shown to reduce postoperative or traumatic bleeding. There is also some evidence for a reduction of perioperative blood transfusion. However, evidence of complications associated with exaggerated thrombosis also exists, although this appears to be influenced by the choice of the individual agent and the dose administered. There is controversy over the use of the serine protease inhibitor aprotinin, whose license was recently withdrawn but may shortly become available on the market again. In the UK, tranexamic acid, a tissue plasminogen and plasmin inhibitor, is most commonly used, with evidence for benefit in cardiac, orthopaedic, urological, gynaecological, and obstetric surgery. In the USA, ε-aminocaproic acid, which also inhibits plasmin, is commonly used. We have reviewed the current literature for this increasingly popular class of drugs to support clinical judgement in daily anaesthetic practice.

A Practical Tranexamic Acid Dosing Scheme Based on Population Pharmacokinetics in Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Background:

Pediatric cardiac surgery patients are at high risk for bleeding, and the antifibrinolytic drug tranexamic acid (TA) is often used to reduce blood loss. However, dosing schemes remain empirical as a consequence of the absence of pharmacokinetic study in this population. The authors’ objectives were thus to investigate the population pharmacokinetics of TA in pediatric cardiac surgery patients during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods:

Twenty-one patients were randomized to receive TA either continuously (10 mg/kg followed by an infusion of 1 mg·kg−1·h−1 throughout the operation, and 10 mg/kg into the CPB) or discontinuously (10 mg/kg, then 10 mg/kg into the CPB and 10 mg·kg−1·h−1 at the end of CPB). Serum concentrations were measured at eight time points with chromatography–mass spectrometry and the data were modeled using Monolix (Lixoft, Orsay, France).

Results:

Tranexamic acid pharmacokinetics was ascribed to a two-compartment open model. The main covariate effects were body weight and CPB. Representative pharmacokinetic parameters adjusted to a 70-kg body weight were as follows: systemic clearance, 2.45 l/h; volume of distribution in the central compartment, 14.1 l; intercompartmental clearance, 5.74 l/h; and peripheral volume, 32.8 l. In accordance with this model, the authors proposed a weight-adjusted dosing scheme to maintain effective TA concentrations in children during surgery, consisting of one loading dose followed by a continuous infusion.

Conclusions:

The authors report for the first time the pharmacokinetics of TA in children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, and propose a dosing scheme for optimized TA administration in those children.

Tranexamic acid: a review of its use in the treatment of hyperfibrinolysis

Tranexamic acid, a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine, is an antifibrinolytic agent that acts by binding to plasminogen and blocking the interaction of plasmin(ogen) with fibrin, thereby preventing dissolution of the fibrin clot. Tranexamic acid (Transamin®) is indicated in Japan for use in certain conditions with abnormal bleeding or bleeding tendencies in which local or systemic hyperfibrinolysis is considered to be involved. This article reviews the efficacy and tolerability of tranexamic acid in conditions amenable to antifibrinolytic therapy and briefly overviews the pharmacological properties of the drug. In large, randomized controlled trials, tranexamic acid generally significantly reduced perioperative blood loss compared with placebo in a variety of surgical procedures, including cardiac surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass, total hip and knee replacement and prostatectomy. In many instances, tranexamic acid also reduced transfusion requirements associated with surgery. It also reduced blood loss in gynaecological bleeding disorders, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, postpartum haemorrhage and bleeding irregularities caused by contraceptive implants. Tranexamic acid significantly reduced all-cause mortality and death due to bleeding in trauma patients with significant bleeding, particularly when administered early after injury. It was also effective in traumatic hyphaema, gastrointestinal bleeding and hereditary angioneurotic oedema. While it reduces rebleeding in subarachnoid haemorrhage, it may increase ischaemic complications. Pharmacoeconomic analyses predicted that tranexamic acid use in surgery and trauma would be very cost effective and potentially life saving. In direct comparisons with other marketed agents, tranexamic acid was at least as effective as ε-aminocaproic acid and more effective than desmopressin in surgical procedures. It was more effective than desmopressin, etamsylate, flurbiprofen, mefenamic acid and norethisterone, but less effective than the levonorgestrel-releasing intra-uterine device in heavy menstrual bleeding and was as effective as prednisolone in traumatic hyphaema. Tranexamic acid was generally well tolerated. Most adverse events in clinical trials were of mild or moderate severity; severe or serious events were rare. Therefore, while high-quality published evidence is limited for some approved indications, tranexamic acid is an effective and well tolerated antifibrinolytic agent.