Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Blood Loss in Lower Segment Cesearean Section: A Randomised Controlled Study

Efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in prevention of postpartum hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18,649 patients

BACKGROUND

In this meta-analysis, we aimed to update the clinical evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of TXA in the prevention of PPH.

METHODS

A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library from inception until December 2022 was conducted. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TXA with a placebo among pregnant women. All relevant outcomes, such as total blood loss, the occurrence of nausea and/or vomiting, and changes in hemoglobin, were combined as odds ratios (OR) or mean differences (MD) in the meta-analysis models using STATA 17 MP.

RESULTS

We included 59 RCTs (18,649 patients) in this meta-analysis. For cesarean birth, TXA was favored over the placebo in reducing total blood loss (MD= -2.11 mL, 95%CI [-3.09 to -1.14], P < 0.001), and occurrence of nausea or/and vomiting (OR = 1.36, 95%CI [1.07 to 1.74], P = 0.01). For vaginal birth, the prophylactic use of TXA was associated with lower total blood loss, and higher occurrence of nausea and/or vomiting (MD= -0.89 mL, 95%CI [-1.47 to -0.31], OR = 2.36, 95%CI [1.32 to 4.21], P = 0.02), respectively. However, there were no differences between the groups in changes in hemoglobin during vaginal birth (MD = 0.20 g/dl, 95%CI [-0.07 to 0.48], P = 0.15). The overall risk of bias among the included studies varies from low to high risk of bias using ROB-II tool for RCTs.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggested that TXA administration is effective among women undergoing cesarean birth or vaginal birth in lowering total blood loss and limiting the occurrence of PPH. Further clinical trials are recommended to test its efficacy on high-risk populations.

The effect of tranexamic acid on intraoperative blood loss in patients undergoing brain meningioma resections: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been proven to prevent thrombolysis and reduce bleeding and blood transfusion requirements in various surgical settings. However, the optimal dose of TXA that effectively reduce intraoperative bleeding and blood product infusion in patients undergoing neurosurgical resection of meningioma with a diameter ≥ 5 cm remains unclear.

METHODS

This is a single-center, randomized, double-blinded, paralleled-group controlled trial. Patients scheduled to receive elective tumor resection with meningioma diameter ≥ 5 cm will be randomly assigned the high-dose TXA group, the low-dose group, and the placebo. Patients in the high-dose TXA group will be administered with a loading dose of 20 mg/kg TXA followed by continuous infusion TXA at a rate of 5 mg/kg/h. In the low-dose group, patients will receive the same loading dose of TXA followed by a continuous infusion of normal saline. In the control group, patients will receive an identical volume of normal saline. The primary outcome is the estimated intraoperative blood loss calculated using the following formula: collected blood volume in the suction canister (mL)-the volume of flushing (mL) + the volume from the gauze tampon (mL). Secondary outcomes include calculated intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative coagulation function assessed using thromboelastogram (TEG), intraoperative cell salvage use, blood product infusion, and other safety outcomes.

DISCUSSION

Preclinical studies suggest that TXA could reduce intraoperative blood loss, yet the optimal dose was controversial. This study is one of the early studies to evaluate the impact of intraoperative different doses infusion of TXA on reducing blood loss in neurological meningioma patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05230381. Registered on February 8, 2022.

Intravenous tranexamic acid vs. sublingual misoprostol in high-risk women for postpartum haemorrhage following cesarean delivery; a randomised clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

This study compares the effectiveness of administering sublingual misoprostol combined with oxytocin to that of IV tranexamic acid combined with oxytocin to reduce intra and post-operative blood loss in high-risk women for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) following cesarean section (CS).

METHODS

About 315 high-risk pregnant women undergoing CS participated in this trial. They were randomly assigned into three groups; tranexamic group, misoprostol group, and control group, according to the medication given in the operative theatre. All patients received oxytocin intraoperatively. They were assessed regarding intraoperative blood loss, the incidence of PPH, and the reduction in haemoglobin and hematocrit values.

RESULTS

Both tranexamic and misoprostol groups had similar results in reducing intra and post-operative blood loss. However, the reduction in haemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly lower in tranexamic and misoprostol groups compared to the control group (-0.78 ± 0.57 vs. -0.83 ± 0.52 vs. -1.32 ± 0.57 gm/dl, P < 0.001 and - 3.05 ± 1.28 vs. -3.06 ± 1.13 vs. -4.94 ± 1.82%, P < 0.001 respectively). In addition, the estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the tranexamic and misoprostol groups compared to the control group (641.6 ± 271.9 vs. 617.9 ± 207.4 vs. 1002.4 ± 340.7 ml, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Both tranexamic acid and misoprostol are equally capable of reducing blood loss, but the results were significantly better compared to using oxytocin alone in high-risk patients.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered at www.

CLINICALTRIALS

govon07/10/2019 with registration number NCT04117243.

Tranexamic acid for the prevention of blood loss after cesarean section: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

Tranexamic acid is a cost-effective intervention for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage among women who undergo cesarean delivery, but the evidence to support its use is conflicting. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in low- and high-risk cesarean deliveries.

DATA SOURCES

We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform portal from inception to April 2022 (updated October 2022 and February 2023) with no language restrictions. In addition, grey literature sources were also explored.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All randomized controlled trials that investigated the prophylactic use of intravenous tranexamic acid in addition to standard uterotonic agents among women who underwent cesarean deliveries in comparison with a placebo, standard treatment, or prostaglandins were included in this meta-analysis.

METHODS

We used the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0) to assess the quality of the included randomized controlled trials. RevMan 5.4 was used to conduct all statistical analyses using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

We included 50 randomized controlled trials (6 in only high-risk patients and 2 with prostaglandins as the comparator) that evaluated tranexamic acid in our meta-analysis. Tranexamic acid reduced the risk for blood loss >1000 mL, the mean total blood loss, and the need for blood transfusion in both low- and high-risk patients. Tranexamic acid was associated with a beneficial effect in the secondary outcomes, including a decline in hemoglobin levels and the need for additional uterotonic agents. Tranexamic acid increased the risk for nonthromboembolic adverse events but, based on limited data, did not increase the incidence of thromboembolic events. The administration of tranexamic acid before skin incision, but not after cord clamping, was associated with a large benefit. The quality of evidence was rated as low to very low for outcomes in the low-risk population and moderate for most outcomes in the high-risk subgroup.

CONCLUSION

Tranexamic acid may reduce the risk for blood loss in cesarean deliveries with a higher benefit observed in high-risk patients, but the lack of high-quality evidence precludes any strong conclusions. The administration of tranexamic acid before skin incision, but not after cord clamping, was associated with a large benefit. Additional studies, especially in the high-risk population and focused on evaluating the timing of tranexamic acid administration, are needed to confirm or refute these findings.

Tranexamic acid for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in women undergoing cesarean delivery: an updated meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of prophylactic tranexamic acid administration vs standard uterotonic agents alone among women undergoing cesarean delivery.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar were systematically searched from inception to June 30, 2021.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials comparing intravenous tranexamic acid administration with placebo in women undergoing cesarean delivery and receiving standard prophylactic uterotonic agents were held eligible.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

The risk of bias of individual studies was appraised with the Risk of Bias 2 tool. Meta-analysis was conducted by fitting random-effects models using restricted maximum likelihood. Subgroup analysis was performed on the basis of country, protocol availability, double-blinding, risk of bias, sample size, and tranexamic acid dose. A 1-stage meta-analysis was performed as a sensitivity analysis. The credibility of outcomes was appraised with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.

RESULTS

Overall, 36 studies with 10,659 women were included. Tranexamic acid administration was associated with significantly lower total blood loss (mean difference, -189.44 mL; 95% confidence intervals, -218.63 to -160.25), lower hemoglobin drop (mean difference, 8.22%; 95% confidence interval, 5.54-10.90), decreased risk of blood loss of >1000 mL (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.60), transfusion requirement (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.65), and need of additional uterotonics (odds ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.25-0.52). Subgroup analysis indicated a greater effect of tranexamic acid on total blood loss reduction in low-middle income countries. The outcomes remained stable by separately evaluating women at low bleeding risk. The 1-stage meta-analysis demonstrated similar outcomes with the primary analysis. The quality of evidence was judged to be moderate regarding total blood loss and hemoglobin percentage change and low for the other outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggested that prophylactic tranexamic acid administration is effective among women undergoing cesarean delivery in lowering postpartum blood loss and limiting hemoglobin drop. Further research is needed to test its efficacy in high-risk populations and verify its safety profile.

Safety of intravenous tranexamic acid in patients undergoing supratentorial meningiomas resection: protocol for a randomised, parallel-group, placebo control, non-inferiority trial

INTRODUCTION

Growing evidence recommends antifibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid (TXA) to reduce blood loss and transfusions rate in various surgical settings. However, postoperative seizure, as one of the major adverse effects of TXA infusion, has been a concern that restricts its utility in neurosurgery.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a randomised, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority trial. Patients with supratentorial meningiomas and deemed suitable for surgical resection will be recruited in the trial. Patients will be randomised to receive either a single administration of 20 mg/kg TXA or a placebo of the same volume with a 1:1 allocation ratio after anaesthesia induction. The primary endpoint is the cumulative incidence of early postoperative seizures within 7 days after craniotomy. Secondary outcomes include the incidence of non-seizure complications, changes of haemoglobin level from baseline, intraoperative blood loss, erythrocyte transfusion volume, Karnofsky Performance Status, all-cause mortality, and length of stay, and total hospitalisation cost.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This trial is registered at ClinicalTrial.gov and approved by the Chinese Ethics Committee of Registering Clinical Trials (ChiECRCT20200224). The findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national or international conferences relevant to subject fields.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04595786.