High-dose (3 g) topical tranexamic acid has higher potency in reducing blood loss after total knee arthroplasty compared with low dose (500 mg): a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Dose Comparison of Flowable Gelatin Hemostatic Matrix for Bleeding Loss in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Introduction Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) affects postoperative outcomes. Although the hemostatic effect of a flowable gelatin hemostatic matrix (FGHM) is known across several surgical fields, its effectiveness on TKA remains controversial. This study aimed to compare the amount of bleeding across three groups treated with different doses of FGHM in TKA. Methods Overall, 122 knee joints of patients who underwent unilateral primary TKA were included and divided into three groups according to FGHM dose: absence of FGHM (control group, N=48), administration of 5 mL of FGHM (5 mL group, N=46), and administration of 8 mL of FGHM (8 mL group, N=38). Total hemoglobin (Hb) loss, drain output, hidden blood loss (HBL), calculated total blood loss (TBL) on the first postoperative day (POD1) and one week postoperatively (POD7), postoperative flexion angle at one week and discharge, and incidence of postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were assessed. Results At POD1, the mean total Hb losses were 6.3±3.1g (control group), 5.5±3.3g (5 mL group), and 5.3±2.5g (8 mL group), with no significant differences. At POD7, the mean Hb losses were 9.1±4.6g (control), 8.7±3.6g (5 mL), and 8.3±4.0g (8 mL), also with no significant differences. Mean drain outputs and HBLs showed no significant differences among groups. While there was a decreasing trend in TBL with higher FGHM doses, it was not statistically significant at either POD1 or POD7. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean postoperative flexion angle at POD7 or discharge among the groups (99.7±12.6°, 95.7±12.5°, 98.3±13.8° at POD7; 115.9±9.7°, 113.8±9.6°, 116.6±9.2° at discharge). Of these, only one patient in the 8 mL group developed proximal DVT. Conclusion Despite a trend towards decreased bleeding with FGHM, no significant differences were found among the three groups. However, the clinical utility of this hemostatic agent for reducing blood loss after primary TKA remains still unclear.

Total blood loss and early clinical outcomes under different tranexamic acid regimes in total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Many different regimes of intravenous and local tranexamic acid (TXA) reduce total blood loss (TBL) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the most effective TXA regime in reducing blood loss might not be most beneficial for the patient. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of commonly used TXA regimes on blood loss and on early clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We performed this monocentric retrospective study in patients undergoing primary TKA. Primary outcome was the estimated TBL. Secondary outcomes were the rates of adverse events (AE) as well as the range of motion (ROM), mobility and pain intensity during the first three physiotherapy sessions (PTS).

RESULTS

We analysed the data of 1250 TKAs. 5 different TXA regimes were applied. TBL (mean ± SE) was 953 ± 64 ml (2xiv), 999 ± 19 ml (2xiv + 1xlocal), 1075 ± 19 ml (1xiv + 1xlocal), 1191 ± 39 ml (1xlocal) and 1241 ± 48 ml (1xiv) (p < 0.01). In the linear regression model for TBL a lower number of TXA applications was a predictor for increased blood loss (p < 0.01). AE rates were lowest under 2xiv (0%) and 2xiv + 1xlocal (4.8%). Highest mobility and lowest pain intensity were observed under 1x iv and 2x iv. The largest portions of fully mobile patients on day three were observed under 1xiv (100%), 2xiv (100%) and 2xiv + 1local TXA (86.9%).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that multiple applications of TXA are more effective in decreasing blood loss than excessive dosing of TXA. Interestingly, local use of TXA might be associated with higher pain intensity and decreased mobility on the first days after surgery.

Comparison of blood loss between intra-articular microporous polysaccharide hemospheres powder and tranexamic acid following primary total knee arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with substantial blood loss and tranexamic acid (TXA) effectively reduces postoperative bleeding. Although it is known that there is no difference between intravenous or intra-articular (IA) injection, the general interest is directed towards topical hemostatic agents regarding thromboembolic events in high-risk patients. This study aimed to compare the blood conservation effects of IA MPH powder and TXA in patients undergoing primary TKA. We retrospectively analyzed 103 patients who underwent primary TKA between June 2020 and December 2021. MPH powder was applied to the IA space before capsule closure (MPH group, n = 51). TXA (3 g) was injected via the drain after wound closure (TXA group, n = 52). All patients underwent drain clamping for three postoperative hours. The primary outcome was the drain output, and the secondary outcomes were the postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) levels during the hospitalization period and the perioperative blood transfusion rates. An independent Student's t-test was used to determine differences between the two groups. The drain output in the first 24 h after surgery was significantly higher in the MPH group than in the TXA group. The postoperative Hb levels were significantly lower in the MPH group than in the TXA group. In patients with simultaneous bilateral TKA, there was a significant difference in the blood transfusion volumes and the rates between groups. It is considered that IA MPH powder cannot replace IA TXA because of an inferior efficacy in reducing blood loss and maintaining postoperative Hb levels in the early postoperative period after primary TKA. Moreover, in the case of simultaneous bilateral TKA, we do not recommend the use of IA MPH powder because it was notably less effective in the field of transfusion volume and rate.

Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of bleeding in people undergoing elective hip or knee surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hip and knee replacement surgery is a well-established means of improving quality of life, but is associated with a significant risk of bleeding. One-third of people are estimated to be anaemic before hip or knee replacement surgery; coupled with the blood lost during surgery, up to 90% of individuals are anaemic postoperatively. As a result, people undergoing orthopaedic surgery receive 3.9% of all packed red blood cell transfusions in the UK. Bleeding and the need for allogeneic blood transfusions has been shown to increase the risk of surgical site infection and mortality, and is associated with an increased duration of hospital stay and costs associated with surgery. Reducing blood loss during surgery may reduce the risk of allogeneic blood transfusion, reduce costs and improve outcomes following surgery. Several pharmacological interventions are available and currently employed as part of routine clinical care.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relative efficacy of pharmacological interventions for preventing blood loss in elective primary or revision hip or knee replacement, and to identify optimal administration of interventions regarding timing, dose and route, using network meta-analysis (NMA) methodology.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews, from inception to 18 October 2022: CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library), MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Transfusion Evidence Library (Evidentia), ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP).

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs of people undergoing elective hip or knee surgery only. We excluded non-elective or emergency procedures, and studies published since 2010 that had not been prospectively registered (Cochrane Injuries policy). There were no restrictions on gender, ethnicity or age (adults only). We excluded studies that used standard of care as the comparator. Eligible interventions included: antifibrinolytics (tranexamic acid (TXA), aprotinin, epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA)), desmopressin, factor VIIa and XIII, fibrinogen, fibrin sealants and non-fibrin sealants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We performed the review according to standard Cochrane methodology. Two authors independently assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted data. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using CINeMA. We presented direct (pairwise) results using RevMan Web and performed the NMA using BUGSnet. We were interested in the following primary outcomes: need for allogenic blood transfusion (up to 30 days) and all-cause mortality (deaths occurring up to 30 days after the operation), and the following secondary outcomes: mean number of transfusion episodes per person (up to 30 days), re-operation due to bleeding (within seven days), length of hospital stay and adverse events related to the intervention received.

MAIN RESULTS

We included a total of 102 studies. Twelve studies did not report the number of included participants; the other 90 studies included 8418 participants. Trials included more women (64%) than men (36%). In the NMA for allogeneic blood transfusion, we included 47 studies (4398 participants). Most studies examined TXA (58 arms, 56%). We found that TXA, given intra-articularly and orally at a total dose of greater than 3 g pre-incision, intraoperatively and postoperatively, ranked the highest, with an anticipated absolute effect of 147 fewer blood transfusions per 1000 people (150 fewer to 104 fewer) (53% chance of ranking 1st) within the NMA (risk ratio (RR) 0.02, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0 to 0.31; moderate-certainty evidence). This was followed by TXA given orally at a total dose of 3 g pre-incision and postoperatively (RR 0.06, 95% CrI 0.00 to 1.34; low-certainty evidence) and TXA given intravenously and orally at a total dose of greater than 3 g intraoperatively and postoperatively (RR 0.10, 95% CrI 0.02 to 0.55; low-certainty evidence). Aprotinin (RR 0.59, 95% CrI 0.36 to 0.96; low-certainty evidence), topical fibrin (RR 0.86, CrI 0.25 to 2.93; very low-certainty evidence) and EACA (RR 0.60, 95% CrI 0.29 to 1.27; very low-certainty evidence) were not shown to be as effective compared with TXA at reducing the risk of blood transfusion. We were unable to perform an NMA for our primary outcome all-cause mortality within 30 days of surgery due to the large number of studies with zero events, or because the outcome was not reported. In the NMA for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), we included 19 studies (2395 participants). Most studies examined TXA (27 arms, 64%). No studies assessed desmopressin, EACA or topical fibrin. We found that TXA given intravenously and orally at a total dose of greater than 3 g intraoperatively and postoperatively ranked the highest, with an anticipated absolute effect of 67 fewer DVTs per 1000 people (67 fewer to 34 more) (26% chance of ranking first) within the NMA (RR 0.16, 95% CrI 0.02 to 1.43; low-certainty evidence). This was followed by TXA given intravenously and intra-articularly at a total dose of 2 g pre-incision and intraoperatively (RR 0.21, 95% CrI 0.00 to 9.12; low-certainty evidence) and TXA given intravenously and intra-articularly, total dose greater than 3 g pre-incision, intraoperatively and postoperatively (RR 0.13, 95% CrI 0.01 to 3.11; low-certainty evidence). Aprotinin was not shown to be as effective compared with TXA (RR 0.67, 95% CrI 0.28 to 1.62; very low-certainty evidence). We were unable to perform an NMA for our secondary outcomes pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and CVA (stroke) within 30 days, mean number of transfusion episodes per person (up to 30 days), re-operation due to bleeding (within seven days), or length of hospital stay, due to the large number of studies with zero events, or because the outcome was not reported by enough studies to build a network. There are 30 ongoing trials planning to recruit 3776 participants, the majority examining TXA (26 trials).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found that of all the interventions studied, TXA is probably the most effective intervention for preventing bleeding in people undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery. Aprotinin and EACA may not be as effective as TXA at preventing the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. We were not able to draw strong conclusions on the optimal dose, route and timing of administration of TXA. We found that TXA given at higher doses tended to rank higher in the treatment hierarchy, and we also found that it may be more beneficial to use a mixed route of administration (oral and intra-articular, oral and intravenous, or intravenous and intra-articular). Oral administration may be as effective as intravenous administration of TXA. We found little to no evidence of harm associated with higher doses of tranexamic acid in the risk of DVT. However, we are not able to definitively draw these conclusions based on the trials included within this review.

Topical Tranexamic Acid in Breast Reconstruction: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Excess fluid accumulation (seroma/hematoma) around the breast implant after reconstruction can lead to significant complications. Topical administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) may reduce fluid accumulation and reduce postoperative complications. This trial aims to investigate whether TXA-treated mastectomy pockets will exhibit less postoperative fluid production and complications.

METHODS

This paired, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial enrolled patients undergoing bilateral mastectomies with immediate direct-to-implant reconstruction. In each patient, one breast was randomized to receive 3 g of TXA (100 cc), and the other received 100 cc of normal saline. The blinded solutions were soaked in the mastectomy pocket for 5 minutes before implant placement. Postoperatively, daily drain outputs, complications, and baseline demographics were recorded.

RESULTS

Fifty-three eligible patients, representing 106 breasts, were enrolled. All patients underwent bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomies. After randomization, TXA was placed in the right breast in 30 patients (56.6%). The use of topical TXA resulted in a mean drain output reduction of 30.5% (range, -83.6% to 26.6%). Drains on the TXA-treated breast were eligible for removal 1.4 days (range, 0 to 4 days) sooner than the control side. The TXA-treated group had three complications (5.67%) versus 15 (28.3%) in the control group (OR, 0.1920; P = 0.0129). Specifically, for operative hematomas, the TXA group had none (0%), versus three in the control group (5.7%) (OR, 0.1348; P = 0.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Soaking the mastectomy bed with 3% topical TXA before implant insertion leads to a decrease in drain output and a decrease in complications. Topical administration of TXA represents an option to decrease complications in alloplastic breast reconstruction.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, I.

Comparison of weight-based versus standard dosing of tranexamic acid for blood loss and transfusion amount in knee arthroplasty without tourniquet

The aim of the study is to compare weight-based versus standard dosing of intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid (TXA) for blood loss and transfusion amount in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) without a tourniquet. A total of 99 patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (standard): 1 g of IV TXA 30 min before skin incision, and 1 g at postoperative 30 min and 3 h. Group 2 (weight-based): 10 mg/kg IV TXA 30 min before the skin incision, and 10 mg/kg at postoperative 30 min, and 3 h. Hemoglobin levels, before, and 1, and 2 days after the operation, postoperative amount of decrease in hemoglobin levels, and amount of erythrocyte transfusion were recorded. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Knee Society Score (KSS) were applied in the evaluation of TKA results preoperatively, and at 1., 3., 6., and 12. months, postoperatively. In both study groups, hemoglobin levels in male patients dropped significantly more deeply than female patients. Also, in both study groups, hemo- globin levels were significantly lower in patients with comorbid illnesses. A statistically significant difference was not detected between both groups in terms of pre- and postoperative WOMAC scores, KSS knee scores, and KSS function scores. Our study showed that standard and weight-based dosing of IV TXA treatments were similar in efficacy and safety. Both treatments reduce blood loss and the need for transfusion. Also, there was no significant difference in terms of reliability between two groups.

Intra-articular vs. intravenous administration: a meta-analysis of tranexamic acid in primary total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The optimal dosage and administration approach of tranexamic acid (TXA) in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. In light of recently published 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the study aims to incorporate the newly found evidence and compare the efficacy and safety of intra-articular (IA) vs. intravenous (IV) application of TXA in primary TKA.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for RCTs comparing IA with IV TXA for primary TKA. Primary outcomes included total blood loss (TBL) and drain output. Secondary outcomes included hidden blood loss (HBL), hemoglobin (Hb) fall, blood transfusion rate, perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, and tourniquet time.

RESULT

In all, 34 RCTs involving 3867 patients were included in our meta-analysis. Significant advantages of IA were shown on TBL (MD = 33.38, 95% CI = 19.24 to 47.51, P < 0.001), drain output (MD = 28.44, 95% CI = 2.61 to 54.27, P = 0.03), and postoperative day (POD) 3+ Hb fall (MD = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.39, P = 0.001) compared with IV. There existed no significant difference on HBL, POD1 and POD2 Hb fall, blood transfusion rate, perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, and tourniquet time between IA and IV.

CONCLUSION

Intra-articular administration of TXA is superior to intravenous in primary TKA patients regarding the performance on TBL, drain output, and POD3+ Hb fall, without increased risk of perioperative complications. Therefore, intra-articular administration is the recommended approach in clinical practice for primary TKA.

Higher doses of topical tranexamic acid safely improves immediate functional outcomes and reduces transfusion requirement in total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Topical administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is increasingly popular as it avoids the risks related with systemic absorption of the medication. Previous studies have established the efficacy of TXA in TKA, however here are limited direct comparison studies available and the dosing regimens vary. Hence, there is no consensus on an optimal dose. Our objective is to compare blood loss, transfusion requirement and immediate post-operative function between high (2 g) and low (1 g) dose tranexamic acid in patients undergoing TKA.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of 104 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty in a single institution under a single surgeon. In total, 61 and 43 patients receiving 1 g and 2 g of topical TXA respectively. Blood loss as estimated from the difference in haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (HCT) levels post-surgery and number of blood transfusions required were compared between groups. Immediate post-operative function and complications were also measured.

RESULTS

Patient characteristics were mostly similar between groups. The transfusion requirements were higher in 1 g group compared to the 2 g group (0.11 vs 0.00, p = 0.034). The mean post op day 1 (POD1) range of motion higher in the 1 g group vs 2 g group (72.1 vs 63.7, p = 0.035). The 2 g group had a lower POD1 pain score compared to the 1 g group (4.02 vs 5.43, p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in complications that were related to the administration of TXA between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Higher dose of topical TXA is safe, helps improve immediate post-operative functional outcomes and reduces transfusion requirements.