[Safety and efficacy of intravenous tranexamic acid in endoscopic transurethral resections in urology: Prospective randomized trial]

Non-Surgical Bleeding and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) Syndrome after TURP Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review

Patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery can develop TURP syndrome and post-TURP bleeding. Post-TURP bleeding can be surgical, from arteries or venous sinuses, or non-surgical, due to coagulopathy preventing clot formation. Non-surgical post-TURP bleeding may be due to high concentrations of urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the urine that cause fibrinolytic changes and increase bleeding risk. Urine urokinase and tPA may have both local and systemic fibrinolytic effects that may prevent blood clot formation locally at the site of surgery, and cause fibrinolytic changes systemically through leaking into the blood stream. Another post-TURP complication that may happen is TURP syndrome, due to absorption of hypotonic glycine fluid through the prostatic venous plexus. TURP syndrome may present with hyponatremia, bradycardia, and hypotension, which may be preceded by hypertension. In this case report, we had a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who developed both TURP syndrome and non-surgical post-TURP bleeding. These complications were transient for one day after surgery. The local effect of urine urokinase and tPA explains the non-surgical bleeding after TURP by preventing clot formation and inducing bleeding. Coagulation studies showed fibrinolytic changes that may be explained by urokinase and tPA leakage into the blood stream. In conclusion, non-surgical bleeding after TURP can be explained by the presence of fibrinolytic agents in the urine, including urokinase and tPA. There is a deficiency in existing studies explaining the pathophysiology of the fibrinolytic changes and risk of bleeding after TURP. Herein, we discuss the possible pathophysiology of developing fibrinolytic changes after TURP. More research effort should be directed to explore this area to investigate the appropriate medications to treat and prevent post-TURP bleeding. We suggest monitoring patients' coagulation profiles and electrolytes after TURP because of the risk of developing severe acute hyponatremia, TURP syndrome, fibrinolytic changes, and non-surgical bleeding. In our review of the literature, we discuss current clinical trials testing the use of an antifibrinolytic agent, Tranexamic acid, locally in the irrigation fluid or systemically to prevent post-TURP bleeding by antagonizing the fibrinolytic activity of urine urokinase and tPA.

Efficacy and safety of intravenous tranexamic acid in urologic surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis compared the effects of intravenous Tranexamic acid (TXA) and a placebo on hemostasis, hospital course, and complications in adult patients undergoing various urologic surgeries.

METHODS

The literature was extensively searched using various databases. The primary outcomes were standardized mean differences (SMDs) of intraoperative blood loss and odds ratios (ORs) of necessary blood product transfusion. The secondary outcomes included SMDs of operative time, SMDs of decreased hemoglobulin levels at 24 hours after surgery, and ORs of thromboembolic events.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 13 randomized controlled trials (RCT) comprising 1814 participants in total. The SMD of intraoperative blood loss for TXA versus placebo was -0.705 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.113 to -0.297). The pooled ORs of transfusion in the TXA group compared with the placebo group was 0.426 (95% CI: 0.290-0.625). These findings indicated a significantly lower intraoperative blood loss and a reduced need for transfusion following intravenous TXA. The pooled ORs of thromboembolic events in the TXA group compared with the placebo group was 0.664 (95% CI: 0.146-3.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous TXA can reduce intraoperative blood loss, decrease the need for transfusion, and shorten operative time, and it does not increase the risk of thromboembolic events.

The role of tranexamic acid in reducing bleeding during transurethral resection of the prostate: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is regarded as the current gold standard surgical intervention for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, this procedure is associated with significant chances of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. Several studies have reported the role of tranexamic acid in prostatic surgeries, but, its role in TURP is still unclear. This review aims to evaluate the role of tranexamic acid in reducing the blood loss during TURP.

Materials and Methods

A systematic search was performed on Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane, up to December 2021. Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the role of tranexamic acid in TURP were screened using our predefined eligibility criteria. Data were expressed as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 (Cochrane Collaboration, UK).

Results

Six trials were included in this meta-analysis, comprising of 582 patients with BPH who underwent TURP. The meta-analysis revealed an insignificant difference in the rate of blood transfusion (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.34, 1.34, P = 0.27) but, a significantly lower amount of blood loss and a lower reduction in the hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the patients receiving tranexamic acid as compared to the control group (MD - 127.03, 95% CI - 233.11, -20.95, P = 0.02; MD - 0.53, 95% CI - 0.84, -0.22, P < 0.01; respectively). Also, the operative time (P = 0.12) and the length of hospitalization (P = 0.59) were similar between the two groups.

Conclusion

The administration of tranexamic acid was not found to be effective in reducing the need for blood transfusion, the operative time, and the length of hospitalization during the TURP. However, it could reduce the amount of blood loss and the fall in the Hb levels.

Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Cancer Surgery. An Update of Clinical Findings and Ongoing Research

In cancer patients undergoing surgery, tumor biology and anticancer treatments can increase the risk of perioperative bleeding and blood transfusions. Notably, blood transfusions can be potentially associated with an increased risk of life-threatening immune responses, acute lung injury, postoperative infections, and thromboembolism. Moreover, the link between perioperative transfusion and increased risk of cancer recurrence cannot be excluded. On the other hand, cancer patients have an increased risk of thromboembolism due to cancer itself and antineoplastic systemic treatments including chemotherapy and anti-angiogenic drugs. In this complex scenario, effective and safe strategies aimed at the prevention of blood transfusions are warranted. This narrative review addresses the efficacy, and the safety of the synthetic antifibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid (TXA) when used perioperatively in cancer surgery. Although in not oncologic surgery the use of TXA has been extensively studied, in the setting of cancer patients requiring surgery, the evidence is scarce. An overview of the ongoing clinical research is also provided.

Can the prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid reduce the blood loss after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy? Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy with tranEXamic acid (RARPEX): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

The prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid reduces blood loss during procedures at high risk of perioperative bleeding. Several studies in cardiac surgery and orthopedics confirmed this finding. The aim of this prospective, double-blind, randomized study is to evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid on peri-and postoperative blood loss and on the incidence and severity of complications.

Methods/design

Based on the results of our pilot study, we decided to conduct this prospective, double-blind, randomized trial to confirm the preliminary data. The primary endpoint is to analyze the effect of tranexamic acid on perioperative and postoperative blood loss (decrease in hemoglobin levels) in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. The additional endpoint is to analyze the effect of tranexamic acid on postoperative complications and confirm the safety of tranexamic acid in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Discussion

No study to date has tested the prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid at the beginning of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. This study is designed to answer the question of whether the administration of tranexamic acid might lower the blood loss after the procedure or increase the rate and severity of complications.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04319614. Registered on 25 March 2020

Can tranexamic acid in irrigation fluid reduce blood loss during monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate? A randomised controlled trial

Objective

To assess the efficacity and safety of using tranexamic acid (TXA) in the irrigation solution during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Patients and Methods

A total of 50 patients undergoing TURP for benign prostatic hyperplasia were prospectively randomised in a controlled clinical trial and distributed into two groups. Group A received 0.1% TXA 1000 mg (10 mL) in 1 L of irrigation solution of sterile wash (glycine) during surgery, while Group B received 10 mL distilled water (placebo) in 1 L of irrigation solution of sterile wash (glycine) during surgery. At the end of surgery, a three-way catheter was inserted in the bladder. Group A received local 500 mg of TXA (5 mL), which was dissolved in 100 mL of normal saline solution, while Group B received distilled water (5 mL) dissolved in 100 mL of normal saline solution after which the catheter was clamped. The serum haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, haematocrit (HCT), blood loss volume, Hb concentration in the irrigation fluid, and bladder irrigation volumes were compared between the two groups at three time-points: preoperatively and at 4- and 24-h postoperatively. Coagulation function, complications, thromboembolic events, quality of endoscopic view, surgery duration, and hospital stay were also noted.

Results

Group A had significantly lower blood loss intraoperatively, and at 4- and 24-h postoperatively compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The serum Hb concentration, HCT, Hb concentration in the irrigation fluid, and bladder irrigation volumes were significantly lower in the TXA group vs the control group (P < 0.001). The shortening of the surgery duration and improvement in the quality of the endoscopic view were significantly noted in the TXA group (P = 0.001). However, no thromboembolic events occurred in either group.

Conclusion

The use of TXA in the irrigation fluid during TURP and injection into the bladder postoperatively can reduce blood loss and the need for blood transfusion without increasing the risk of thrombosis.

Safety and Efficacy of Using Tranexamic Acid at the Beginning of Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy in a Double-Blind Prospective Randomized Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

The prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid has been shown to be appropriate for procedures with a high risk of perioperative bleeding in cardiac surgery and orthopaedics. In urology the ambiguous results have been reported. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid administration in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). A pilot, prospective, double-blind, randomized study was conducted to evaluate this effect.

METHODS

The study included 100 patients who received RARP in the period from April 2017 to January 2018. The patients were randomly assigned to study and control groups of 50 patients each.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 6 months. Lower haemoglobin level drop weighted for gram of operated prostate was observed in the study group when treating the dorsal vein complex (DVC) at the beginning of the procedure (p = 0.004 after 3 hours and p < 0.001 after 24 hours). There was no evidence of any serious side effect of tranexamic acid.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated the safety of tranexamic acid at RARP. In addition, we showed that administration of tranexamic acid at the beginning of RARP significantly reduces the decrease in haemoglobin after the procedure when treating the DVC at the beginning of the procedure.

Efficacy of tranexamic acid in decreasing primary hemorrhage in transurethral resection of the prostate: A novel combination of intravenous and topical approach

BACKGROUND

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard for benign prostatic enlargement; however, hemorrhage still remains one of the major complications.

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing intraoperative blood loss and need for blood transfusion. Secondary parameters compared were operating time, volume of irrigation fluid used, and reduction in hemoglobin concentration.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 70 eligible patients undergoing TURP were randomized based on computer generated table into two groups. The study group (1) received IV TXA 500 mg after induction of anesthesia and 500 mg in each irrigation fluid bottle (dual mode) and the control group (2) received none.

RESULTS

The mean age (68.20 vs. 66.5 years), prostate size (57 vs. 51 g), and preoperative hemoglobin (13.3 vs. 13.5 g/dl) were similar between the groups. Intraoperative blood loss in the TXA group was found to be significantly reduced (174.60 ± 125.38 ml vs. 232.47 ± 116.8; P = 0.04). Blood transfusion was required in 2.8% of cases as compared to 14.2% in controls. Operating time, volume of irrigation fluid, and postoperative reduction of hemoglobin were not significant between the groups. No complications were observed in both groups.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we observed that TXA, when used as a combination of Intravenous and topical route, effectively reduced intra-operative blood loss and the need for transfusion.

Can high-dose tranexamic acid have a role during transurethral resection of the prostate in large prostates? A randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and safety of high-dose tranexamic acid (TXA) during bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP) in patients with large prostates compared to placebo.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From February 2018 to May 2020, 204 patients with enlarged prostates of 80-130 g and in need of surgical intervention were randomised into two groups. Patients in Group A underwent B-TURP and received TXA as an intravenous loading dose of 50 mg/kg over 20 min before induction of anaesthesia followed by a maintenance infusion of 5 mg/kg/h until resection was completed. The patients in Group B (placebo) received a saline infusion of a similar volume.

RESULTS

There was highly significant drop in haemoglobin in the placebo group at 4- and 24-h postoperatively compared with the TXA group (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the blood transfusion rate between the two groups with five patients (5.5%) in the placebo group and four (4.2%) in the TXA group requiring a transfusion (P = 0.74). The procedural time was significantly less in the TXA group vs the control group, at a mean (SD) of 79.93 (22.18) vs 90.91 (21.4) min (P = 0.001). Also, the intraoperative irrigation fluid volume and postoperative irrigation duration were significantly less in the TXA group vs the control group, at a mean (SD) of 19.21 (3.13) vs 23.05 (3.8) L and 14.75 (5.15) vs 18.33 (5.96) h, respectively (P = 0.001). Catheterisation and hospital stay durations were comparable between both groups (P = 0.384 and P = 0.388, respectively). No complications were recorded with use of high-dose TXA.

CONCLUSION

High-dose TXA was effective in controlling blood loss during B-TURP in patients with large prostates, with no adverse drug reactions.

Association of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid With Thromboembolic Events and Mortality: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression

IMPORTANCE

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an efficient antifibrinolytic agent; however, concerns remain about the potential adverse effects, particularly vascular occlusive events, that may be associated with its use.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between intravenous TXA and total thromboembolic events (TEs) and mortality in patients of all ages and of any medical disciplines.

DATA SOURCE

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE were searched for eligible studies investigating intravenous TXA and postinterventional outcome published between 1976 and 2020.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized clinical trials comparing intravenous TXA with placebo/no treatment. The electronic database search yielded a total of 782 studies, and 381 were considered for full-text review. Included studies were published in English, German, French, and Spanish. Studies with only oral or topical tranexamic administration were excluded.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Meta-analysis, subgroup and sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression were performed. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Vascular occlusive events and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 216 eligible trials including 125 550 patients were analyzed. Total TEs were found in 1020 (2.1%) in the group receiving TXA and 900 (2.0%) in the control group. This study found no association between TXA and risk for total TEs (risk difference = 0.001; 95% CI, -0.001 to 0.002; P = .49) for venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, venous TEs, myocardial infarction or ischemia, and cerebral infarction or ischemia. Sensitivity analysis using the risk ratio as an effect measure with (risk ratio = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.94-1.11; P = .56) and without (risk ratio = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.95-1.12; P = .52) studies with double-zero events revealed robust effect size estimates. Sensitivity analysis with studies judged at low risk for selection bias showed similar results. Administration of TXA was associated with a significant reduction in overall mortality and bleeding mortality but not with nonbleeding mortality. In addition, an increased risk for vascular occlusive events was not found in studies including patients with a history of thromboembolism. Comparison of studies with sample sizes of less than or equal to 99 (risk difference = 0.004; 95% CI, -0.006 to 0.014; P = .40), 100 to 999 (risk difference = 0.004; 95% CI, -0.003 to 0.011; P = .26), and greater than or equal to 1000 (risk difference = -0.001; 95% CI, -0.003 to 0.001; P = .44) showed no association between TXA and incidence of total TEs. Meta-regression of 143 intervention groups showed no association between TXA dosing and risk for venous TEs (risk difference, -0.005; 95% CI, -0.021 to 0.011; P = .53).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Findings from this systematic review and meta-analysis of 216 studies suggested that intravenous TXA, irrespective of dosing, is not associated with increased risk of any TE. These results help clarify the incidence of adverse events associated with administration of intravenous TXA and suggest that TXA is safe for use with undetermined utility for patients receiving neurological care.

Safety and efficacy of intraoperative administration of intravenous tranexamic acid in transurethral resection of prostate: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to evaluate and compare the effect of intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) with placebo on haemorrhage and quality of vision during and post-transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Methods:

For nine months (September 2016 until June 2017), a randomised clinical trial was conducted with 70 patients, age 50–80 years, who were included in the study according to inclusion criteria (patients who required surgical intervention because of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate weight (<100 cc), American Society of Anesthesiologists score ⩽II, etc.) and enrolled randomly one to one in two study groups, and who underwent TURP in Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences by a single surgeon.

Interventions:

The study group participants received 500 mg TXA in 500 ml ringer serum (concentration of 1 mg/ml, infusion rate 100 mg/min, maximum dose of 15 mg/kg), whereas the control group received only ringer serum during surgery. The results were then compared for the variables operation time, amount of haematocrit (HCT)-haemoglobin (Hb) reduction following surgery and surgeon satisfaction.

Results:

Both groups had no difference in age, weight and prostate weight. Surgeon satisfaction was evaluated at the end of the operation. The frequency of high satisfaction in case and control groups was 74.3% and 8.65%, whereas low satisfaction was 0% and 42.69%, respectively ( p < 0.05). The mean time of operation was 53.57±16.43 vs 120.71±47.76 minutes in the case and control group, respectively ( p < 0.05). The mean HCT-Hb decrease ( p = 0.00) and the amount of infused volume before and after the operation ( p = 0.03) between both groups were significantly different. None of the patients experienced TXA side effects.

Conclusions:

Intravenous TXA can prevent haemorrhage and higher Hb and HCT reduction following TURP, shortening the operation time and improving surgeon vision during TURP.

Level of evidence:

1b