Outcome impact of different tranexamic acid regimens in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (OPTIMAL): Rationale, design, and study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Antifibrinolytic and Adjunct Hemostatic Agents: The Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Anticoagulation CollaborativE Consensus Conference

OBJECTIVES

To derive systematic-review informed, modified Delphi consensus regarding antifibrinolytic and adjunct hemostatic agents in neonates and children supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for the Pediatric ECMO Anticoagulation CollaborativE consensus conference.

DATA SOURCES

A structured literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) databases from January 1988 to May 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

Use of antifibrinolytics (epsilon-aminocaproic acid [EACA] or tranexamic acid), recombinant factor VII activated (rFVIIa), or topical hemostatic agents (THAs).

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors reviewed all citations independently, with a third independent reviewer resolving conflicts. Eleven references were used for data extraction and informed recommendations. Evidence tables were constructed using a standardized data extraction form.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. The evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. Forty-eight experts met over 2 years to develop evidence-based recommendations and, when evidence was lacking, expert-based consensus statements for the management of bleeding and thrombotic complications in pediatric ECMO patients. A web-based modified Delphi process was used to build consensus via the Research And Development/University of California Appropriateness Method. Consensus was defined as greater than 80% agreement. One weak recommendation and three consensus statements are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence supporting recommendations for administration of antifibrinolytics (EACA or tranexamic acid), rFVIIa, and THAs were sparse and inconclusive. Much work remains to determine effective and safe usage strategies.

The efficacy and safety of intravenous administration of tranexamic acid in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: Evidence from a single cardiovascular center

BACKGROUND

The current study was performed to systemically review the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery at a single large-volume cardiovascular center.

METHODS

A computerized search of electronic databases was performed to identify all relevant studies using search terms till December 31st, 2021. The primary outcomes were postoperative blood loss and the composite incidence of mortality and morbidities during hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included postoperative massive bleeding and transfusion, postoperative recovery profiles, coagulation functions, inflammatory variables, and biomarkers of vital organ injury.

RESULTS

Database search yielded 23 qualified studies including 27,729 patients in total. Among them, 14,136 were allocated into TXA group and 13,593 into Control group. The current study indicated that intravenous TXA significantly reduced total volume of postoperative bleeding in both adult and pediatric patients, and that medium- and high-dose TXA were more effective than low-dose TXA in adult patients (P < .05). The current study also demonstrated that intravenous TXA, as compared to Control, remarkably reduced postoperative transfusion incidences and volume of red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma, and reduced postoperative transfusion incidence of platelet concentrates (PC) (P < .05) without obvious dose-effects (P > .05), but TXA did not reduce PC transfusion volume postoperatively in adult patients (P > .05). For pediatrics, TXA did not significantly reduce postoperative transfusion incidence and volume of allogenic red blood cell, fresh frozen plasma and PC (P > .05). Additionally, the current study demonstrated that intravenous TXA did not influence the composite incidence of postoperative mortality and morbidities in either adults or pediatrics during hospitalization (P > .05), and that there was no obvious dose-effect of TXA in adult patients (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

This current study suggested that intravenous TXA significantly reduced total volume of postoperative bleeding in both adult and pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery at the single cardiovascular center without increasing the composite incidence of mortality and morbidities.

Tranexamic acid is associated with improved hemostasis in elderly patients undergoing coronary-artery surgeries in a retrospective cohort study

Background

More elderly patients undergo coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) than younger patients. Whether tranexamic acid (TA) is still effective and safe in elderly patients undergoing CABG surgeries is still unclear.

Methods

In this study, a cohort of 7,224 patients ≥70 years undergoing CABG surgery were included. Patients were categorized into the no TA group, TA group, high-dose group, and low-dose group according whether TA was administered and the dose administered. The primary endpoint was blood loss and blood transfusion after CABG. The secondary endpoints were thromboembolic events and in-hospital death.

Results

The blood loss at 24 and 48 h and the total blood loss after surgery in patients in the TA group were 90, 90, and 190 ml less than those in the no-TA group, respectively (p < 0.0001). The total blood transfusion was reduced 0.38-fold with TA administration compared to that without TA (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.56-0.68, p < 0.0001). Blood component transfusion was also reduced. High-dose TA administration reduced the blood loss by 20 ml 24 h after surgery (p = 0.032) but had no relationship with the blood transfusion. TA increased the risk of perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) by 1.62-fold [p = 0.003, OR = 1.62, 95% CI (1.18-2.22)] but reduced the hospital stay time in patients who were administered TA compared to that of patients who did not receive TA (p = 0.026).

Conclusion

We revealed that elderly patients undergoing CABG surgeries had better hemostasis after TA administration but increased the risk of PMI. High-dose TA was effective and safe compared with low-dose TA administration in elderly patients undergoing CABG surgery.

Development and Validation of a Machine Learning Predictive Model for Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to develop and validate a predictive machine learning (ML) model for cardiac surgery associated with acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) based on a multicenter randomized control trial (RCT) and a Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV) dataset.

METHODS

This was a subanalysis from a completed RCT approved by the Ethics Committee of Fuwai Hospital in Beijing, China (NCT03782350). Data from Fuwai Hospital were randomly assigned, with 80% for the training dataset and 20% for the testing dataset. The data from three other centers were used for the external validation dataset. Furthermore, the MIMIC-IV dataset was also utilized to validate the performance of the predictive model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC), the precision-recall curve (PR-AUC), and the calibration brier score were applied to evaluate the performance of the traditional logistic regression (LR) and eleven ML algorithms. Additionally, the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) interpreter was used to explain the potential risk factors for CSA-AKI.

RESULT

A total of 6495 eligible patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were eventually included in this study, 2416 of whom were from Fuwai Hospital (Beijing), for model development, 562 from three other cardiac centers in China, and 3517 from the MIMICIV dataset, were used, respectively, for external validation. The CatBoostClassifier algorithms outperformed other models, with excellent discrimination and calibration performance for the development, as well as the MIMIC-IV, datasets. In addition, the CatBoostClassifier achieved ROC-AUCs of 0.85, 0.67, and 0.77 and brier scores of 0.14, 0.19, and 0.16 in the testing, external, and MIMIC-IV datasets, respectively. Moreover, the utmost important risk factor, the N-terminal brain sodium peptide (NT-proBNP), was confirmed by the LASSO method in the feature section process. Notably, the SHAP explainer identified that the preoperative blood urea nitrogen level, prothrombin time, serum creatinine level, total bilirubin level, and age were positively correlated with CSA-AKI; preoperative platelets level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, albumin level, and body weight were negatively associated with CSA-AKI.

CONCLUSIONS

The CatBoostClassifier algorithms outperformed other ML models in the discrimination and calibration of CSA-AKI prediction cardiac surgery with CPB, based on a multicenter RCT and MIMIC-IV dataset. Moreover, the preoperative NT-proBNP level was confirmed to be strongly related to CSA-AKI.

Can C-reactive protein predict coagulation in off pump coronary artery bypass grafting? A cohort study

Background

Previous study found that C-reactive protein (CRP) can predict bleeding after on-pump CABG. To evaluate whether preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) can be a novel marker of postoperative bleeding in patients having off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study. Multiple variable regression analyses were performed. 537 patients undergoing off-pump isolated primary CABG at Fuwai Hospital from September 2017 to July 2018 were recorded. The primary endpoint was bleeding volume within 24 h after surgery.

Results

Data of 537 patients undergoing off-pump isolated primary CABG at Fuwai Hospital were recorded. The correlations between bleeding volume within 24 h after surgery and preoperative data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate linear regression. Much more preoperative CRP concentration (B = −0.089, P < 0.05) was associated with less postoperative bleeding volume and fibrinogen (B = 0.594, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Preoperative CRP concentration is independently correlated with the postoperative volume of bleeding within 24 h. CRP may become a novel coagulation index in coronary artery atherosclerotic disease.

Effect of High- vs Low-Dose Tranexamic Acid Infusion on Need for Red Blood Cell Transfusion and Adverse Events in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: The OPTIMAL Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Tranexamic acid is recommended for reducing blood loss and transfusion in cardiac surgery. However, it remains unknown whether a high dose of tranexamic acid provides better blood-sparing effect than a low dose without increasing the risk of thrombotic complications or seizures in cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and adverse events of high-dose vs low-dose tranexamic acid in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial among adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The study enrolled 3079 patients at 4 hospitals in China from December 26, 2018, to April 21, 2021; final follow-up was on May 21, 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants received either a high-dose tranexamic acid regimen comprising a 30-mg/kg bolus, a 16-mg/kg/h maintenance dose, and a 2-mg/kg prime (n = 1525) or a low-dose regimen comprising a 10-mg/kg bolus, a 2-mg/kg/h maintenance dose, and a 1-mg/kg prime (n = 1506).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary efficacy end point was the rate of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion after start of operation (superiority hypothesis), and the primary safety end point was a composite of the 30-day postoperative rate of mortality, seizure, kidney dysfunction (stage 2 or 3 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes [KDIGO] criteria), and thrombotic events (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism) (noninferiority hypothesis with a margin of 5%). There were 15 secondary end points, including the individual components of the primary safety end point.

RESULTS

Among 3079 patients who were randomized to treatment groups (mean age, 52.8 years; 38.1% women), 3031 (98.4%) completed the trial. Allogeneic red blood cell transfusion occurred in 333 of 1525 patients (21.8%) in the high-dose group and 391 of 1506 patients (26.0%) in the low-dose group (risk difference [RD], -4.1% [1-sided 97.55% CI, -∞ to -1.1%]; relative risk, 0.84 [1-sided 97.55% CI, -∞ to 0.96; P = .004]). The composite of postoperative seizure, thrombotic events, kidney dysfunction, and death occurred in 265 patients in the high-dose group (17.6%) and 249 patients in the low-dose group (16.8%) (RD, 0.8%; 1-sided 97.55% CI, -∞ to 3.9%; P = .003 for noninferiority). Fourteen of the 15 prespecified secondary end points were not significantly different between groups, including seizure, which occurred in 15 patients (1.0%) in the high-dose group and 6 patients (0.4%) in the low-dose group (RD, 0.6%; 95% CI, -0.0% to 1.2%; P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, high-dose compared with low-dose tranexamic acid infusion resulted in a modest statistically significant reduction in the proportion of patients who received allogeneic red blood cell transfusion and met criteria for noninferiority with respect to a composite primary safety end point consisting of 30-day mortality, seizure, kidney dysfunction, and thrombotic events.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03782350.

Safety and Efficacy of Local Tranexamic Acid for the Prevention of Surgical Bleeding in Soft-Tissue Surgery: A Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Plastic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Although high-bleed surgery routinely utilizes the antifibrinolytic drug tranexamic acid, most plastic surgical procedures are conducted in soft tissue with low-volume bleeding. Unease regarding possible systemic adverse effects prevents widespread systemic use, but local use of tranexamic acid is gaining popularity among plastic surgeons. Randomized controlled trials on topical use of tranexamic acid are mainly from high-bleed surgeries, and few studies address the effect in soft tissue. This article reviews the scientific evidence regarding local use of tranexamic acid in soft-tissue surgery, discusses pharmacological effects and possible adverse reactions, and presents recommendations for use in plastic surgery.

METHODS

A systematic search of databases for studies on local use of tranexamic acid in soft-tissue surgery was performed. Randomized controlled trials were included for a systematic review on effect; a narrative review regarding other clinically relevant aspects is based on extensive literature searches combined with the authors' own research.

RESULTS

Fourteen randomized controlled trials, including 1923 patients, were included in the systematic review on local use of tranexamic acid in soft-tissue surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Local use of tranexamic acid may reduce blood loss comparably to intravenous prophylactic use with negligible risk of systemic adverse effects, but high-quality randomized controlled trials are few. Prolonged exposure to high local concentrations is discouraged, and direct contact with the central nervous system may cause seizures. No single superior means of administration or dosage is supported in the literature, and lowest effective dose is unknown. There may not be one single ideal dosing regimen, but rather many possibilities adaptable for different surgical situations.

Tranexamic Acid Administered During Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgeries Achieves Good Safety Effects and Hemostasis

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) administered during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgeries has achieved good blood control in small cohorts. We aimed to investigate the safety issues and hemostasis associated with TXA administration during OPCAB in a large retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

This study included 19,687 patients with OPCAB from 2009 to 2019. A total of 1,307 patients were excluded because they were younger than 18 years or certain values were missing. Among the remaining 18,380 patients, 10,969 were in the TXA group and 7,411 patients were in the no-TXA group. There were 4,889 patients whose TXA dose was ≥50 mg/kg, and the remaining 6,080 patients had a TXA dose of <50 mg/kg. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between the TXA and no-TXA groups and between the high-dose and low-dose groups, and statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Tranexamic acid administration did not increase the risk of hospital death or thromboembolic events. Patients who administered TXA had less blood loss at 24 h (478.32 ± 276.41 vs. 641.28 ± 295.09, p < 0.001) and 48 h (730.59 ± 358.55 vs. 915.24 ± 390.13, p < 0.001) and total blood loss (989.00 ± 680.43 vs. 1,220.01 ± 720.68, p < 0.001) after OPCAB than the patients with non-TXA. Therefore, the risk of total blood exposure [odds ratio (OR) = 0.50, 95% CI 0.47-0.54, p < 0.001] or blood component exposure (p < 0.001) was decreased significantly in the patients who administered TXA. The TXA dosage did not impact the patient survival, thromboembolic events, or blood management.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of TXA was safe and provided blood control in patients with OPCAB, and the dosage did not affect these parameters.

Tranexamic Acid Administered During Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgeries Achieves Good Safety Effects and Hemostasis

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) administered during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgeries has achieved good blood control in small cohorts. We aimed to investigate the safety issues and hemostasis associated with TXA administration during OPCAB in a large retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

This study included 19,687 patients with OPCAB from 2009 to 2019. A total of 1,307 patients were excluded because they were younger than 18 years or certain values were missing. Among the remaining 18,380 patients, 10,969 were in the TXA group and 7,411 patients were in the no-TXA group. There were 4,889 patients whose TXA dose was ≥50 mg/kg, and the remaining 6,080 patients had a TXA dose of <50 mg/kg. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between the TXA and no-TXA groups and between the high-dose and low-dose groups, and statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Tranexamic acid administration did not increase the risk of hospital death or thromboembolic events. Patients who administered TXA had less blood loss at 24 h (478.32 ± 276.41 vs. 641.28 ± 295.09, p < 0.001) and 48 h (730.59 ± 358.55 vs. 915.24 ± 390.13, p < 0.001) and total blood loss (989.00 ± 680.43 vs. 1,220.01 ± 720.68, p < 0.001) after OPCAB than the patients with non-TXA. Therefore, the risk of total blood exposure [odds ratio (OR) = 0.50, 95% CI 0.47-0.54, p < 0.001] or blood component exposure (p < 0.001) was decreased significantly in the patients who administered TXA. The TXA dosage did not impact the patient survival, thromboembolic events, or blood management.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of TXA was safe and provided blood control in patients with OPCAB, and the dosage did not affect these parameters.

Blood conservation outcomes and safety of tranexamic acid in coronary artery bypass graft surgery

BACKGROUND

The safety and blood management effects of Tranexamic acid (TXA) and its dose effects in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) were still ambiguous. This study aimed to analyze these TXA effects.

METHODS

Overall, 42,010 patients undergoing CABG were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were assigned to the TXA group (n = 29,536) and the no-TXA group (n = 12,474). Furthermore, the TXA group was divided into the high-dose (≥50 mg/kg) (16,488) and the low-dose (<50 mg/kg) (13,048) subgroup. Propensity score matching was performed in both groups respectively. The primary endpoint after CABG was composed of hospital death, perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI), stroke, acute kidney injury (AKI), and pulmonary embolism. The secondary endpoint included blood loss and blood transfusion after surgery.

RESULTS

TXA led to a 1.40-fold risk of PMI (p < 0.001). Patients in the TXA group had fewer re-operations for bleeding or tamponade [Odd ratio (OR) = 0.82, p = 0.044], less blood loss after surgery (p < 0.001), and a lower risk for blood transfusion exposure (OR = 0.45, p < 0.001) than those in the no-TXA group. The high-dose TXA reduced blood loss after cardiac surgery compared to the low-dose TXA (p < 0.001) with no associations with blood exposure or adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of TXA during CABG increased the risk of PMI despite better blood control after surgery. The high dose of TXA acquired better bleeding management. Meanwhile, it did not increase the risk of primary endpoint.

Tranexamic acid in cardiac surgery: Are low doses enough?

OBJECTIVES

Tranexamic acid is used to prevent hyperfibrinolysis and reduce postoperative bleeding and blood transfusions in on-pump cardiac surgery. We evaluate the efficacy of low or high dose tranexamic acid in a prospective cohort study conducted in Valencia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 427 patients were recruited between January 2019 and January 2020, 207 in the Hospital General Universitario (low dose [LD]) and 220 in the Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe (high dose [HD] and intermediate dose [ID]). We recorded the presence of hyperfibrinolysis on rotational thromboelastometry, intra- and postoperative administration of blood products, chest tube output within the first 12 h, and incidence of convulsions. Univariate and multivariate comparisons were performed. Univariate analysis of all categories was performed after propensity score matching between LD and HD and between LD and ID.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in: appearance of hyperfibrinolysis, administration of blood products, postoperative chest tube output within the first 12 h, or occurrence of convulsions. Group LD received less fibrinogen than group HD (P = .014) and ID (P = .040) but more fresh frozen plasma than group ID (P = .0002).

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of low-dose tranexamic acid is as effective as higher doses in hyperfibrinolysis prophylaxis and the prevention of postoperative bleeding in cardiac surgery.

Tranexamic acid in cardiac surgery: Are low doses enough?

OBJECTIVES

Tranexamic acid is used to prevent hyperfibrinolysis and reduce postoperative bleeding and blood transfusions in on-pump cardiac surgery. We evaluate the efficacy of low or high dose tranexamic acid in a prospective cohort study conducted in Valencia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 427 patients were recruited between January 2019 and January 2020, 207 in the Hospital General Universitario (low dose [LD]) and 220 in the Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe (high dose [HD] and intermediate dose [ID]). We recorded the presence of hyperfibrinolysis on rotational thromboelastometry, intra- and postoperative administration of blood products, chest tube output within the first 12h, and incidence of convulsions. Univariate and multivariate comparisons were performed. Univariate analysis of all categories was performed after propensity score matching between LD and HD and between LD and ID.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in: appearance of hyperfibrinolysis, administration of blood products, postoperative chest tube output within the first 12h, or occurrence of convulsions. Group LD received less fibrinogen than group HD (P=.014) and ID (P=.040) but more fresh frozen plasma than group ID (P=.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of low-dose tranexamic acid is as effective as higher doses in hyperfibrinolysis prophylaxis and the prevention of postoperative bleeding in cardiac surgery.

[Results of implementation of a perioperative Patient Blood Management program in cardiovascular surgery]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular surgery (CCV) patients have a high incidence of perioperative anemia and bleeding that determines a high rate of allogeneic blood transfusion (AST). This is associated with an increase in morbidity, mortality and prolongs length of stay in hospital. Unnecessary transfusion is one of the measures to avoid and Patient Blood Management (PBM) programs have proven their effectiveness. Our objective was to reduce the transfusion of patients in cardiac surgery, without inferior results in morbidity and mortality, length of stay in hospital and being cost-effective, through the implementation of a PBM program.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A mixed cohort study of 226 patients divided into 2 groups: retrospective pre-PBM (GP), from 2016, and intervention group (IG), prospective from 2018, with the results of the implementation of the guide.

RESULTS

The clinical results obtained allowed reducing the TSA from 92.59% to 79.69% (P<.001), saving 2.59 units of CH and 2.5 of PFC per patient (P<.001). A decrease was found in patients with fever (12.35% vs 1.56% with P=.006) and the need to escalate antibiotics (64.8% vs 42.19%, P=.002). The rest of postoperative complications and mortality at 3months did not present statistically significant differences. The length of stay was reduced by an average 3.6days in the IG, (95%CI: -8.10 to 0.9, P=.18). The cost decreased by 163.29€ per patient, taking into account exclusively the saving of blood components.

CONCLUSION

The PBM program is effective in reducing TSA in cardiac surgery in a tertiary hospital with high complexity patients and high transfusion rate. There are signs suggestive of a decrease in infections and a tendency to decrease the length of stay and mortality. In the economic approximation carried out, the cost of the intervention was lower than the savings implied by the decrease in transfusion.

A Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Investigation of an ε-Aminocaproic Acid Regimen Designed for Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of an ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA) regimen designed for cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

DESIGN

Prospective observational study requiring blood sampling to measure EACA concentrations and fibrinolysis markers (fibrinogen, D-dimer, α₂-antiplasmin, and tissue plasminogen activator-plasminogen activator inhibitor [tPA-PAI-1] complex).

SETTING

Single-center, tertiary medical center.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB between 2018 and 2019 for aortic or mitral valve replacement/repair or coronary artery bypass grafting. Previous sternotomy patients were included.

INTERVENTION

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The pharmacokinetics of EACA, during CPB, were described by a 3-compartment disposition model. EACA concentrations were greater than 130 mg/L in all patients after CPB and in most patients during CPB. The D-dimer level trended up and reached a peak median level of 1.35 mg/L of fibrinogen equivalence units (FEU) at 15 minutes after protamine administration. The median change in D-dimer (ΔD-dimer) from baseline to 15 minutes after protamine was 0.34 (-0.48 to 3.81) mg/L FEU. ΔD-dimer did not correlate with EACA concentration intraoperatively, urine output, body weight, glomerular filtration rate, cell salvage volume, and ultrafiltration volume. The median 24-hour chest tube output was 445 (180-1,011) mL.

CONCLUSION

This regimen provided maximum EACA concentrations near the time of protamine administration, with a total perioperative dose of 15 g. Most patients had EACA concentrations greater than the target during CPB. ΔD-dimer did not correlate with EACA concentration. The median 24-hour chest tube output compared well to similar studies that used higher doses of EACA.