[Effectiveness of tranexamic acid in routine performance of total knee replacement surgery]

Efficacy of oral tranexamic acid on blood loss in primary total hip arthroplasty using a direct anterior approach: a prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA), delivered intravenously or topically, has been shown to reduce blood loss, the need for transfusion, and relevant healthcare costs when administered in primary standard total hip arthroplasty (THA). Whether the same is true of oral TXA is unclear, the purpose of this study was to determine if oral tranexamic acid is equivalent to intravenous TXA in the case of patients undergoing THA via the direct anterior approach.

METHODS

In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 120 patients undergoing primary THA by the direct anterior approach were randomized to receive oral TXA (two doses of 20 mg/kg), intravenous TXA (two doses of 15 mg/kg), or no TXA. Primary outcomes were haemoglobin drop, haematocrit levels, total blood loss, intra-operative blood loss, need for transfusion, and volume transfused. Secondary outcomes included thromboembolic events, wound complications, the length of post-operative hospital stay, and 30-day readmission.

RESULTS

Demographic characteristics were similar among the three patient groups (p > 0.05, n = 40 per group). Haemoglobin drop, haematocrit levels, total blood loss, and intra-operative blood loss were similar in the oral and intravenous groups (p > 0.05), and significantly smaller than in the control group (p < 0.05). Transfusions were given to significantly fewer patients in the oral group (3%) and intravenous group (6%) than in the control group (27%, p = 0.01). Costs of TXA and transfusions were significantly lower in the oral group than the intravenous group (p < 0.05). The three groups were similar in thromboembolic events, wound complications, the length of post-operative hospital stay, and 30-day readmission (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Oral TXA shows similar efficacy and safety as intravenous TXA for reducing haemoglobin drop, haematocrit levels, total blood loss, and transfusion rate following THA by the direct anterior approach. Therefore, the much less-expensive oral formulation may be superior to the intravenous form.

What is the Ideal Route of Administration of Tranexamic Acid in TKA? A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

TKA commonly involves substantial blood loss and tranexamic acid has been used to reduce blood loss after TKA. Numerous clinical trials have documented the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) or intraarticular (IA) use of tranexamic acid. Combined administration of tranexamic acid also has been suggested; however, there is no consensus regarding the ideal route of tranexamic acid administration.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) To compare the efficacy of tranexamic acid in terms of total blood loss and the allogeneic transfusion rate among three routes of administration: IV alone, IA alone, and combined IV and IA. (2) To compare these regimens in terms of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the frequency of wound complications.

METHODS

In total, 376 patients undergoing TKA between March 2014 and March 2015 were randomized to four groups by the route of tranexamic acid administration: IV only, IA only, low-dose combined (IV + IA injection of 1 g), and high-dose combined (IV + IA injection of 2 g). The calculated total blood loss, allogeneic transfusion rate, decrease in hemoglobin, the frequency of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, wound complications, and periprosthetic joint infection were compared among the groups. Total blood loss was calculated using estimated total body blood volume and hemoglobin loss. The decision regarding when to transfuse was determined based on preset criteria.

RESULTS

The high- and low-dose combined groups and the IA-only group had lower total blood loss (564 ± 242 mL, 642 ± 242 mL, and 633 ± 205 mL, respectively) than the IV-only group (764 ± 217 mL; mean differences = 199 mL [95% CI, 116-283 mL], p < 0.001; 121 mL [95% CI, 38-205 mL], p = 0.001; 131 mL [95% CI, 47-214 mL], p < 0.001); no differences were found among the other three groups. No patients in any study group received an allogeneic transfusion. One patient in the IV-only group had a symptomatic pulmonary embolism develop, but no other symptomatic VTE events occurred in any group. In addition, no differences were observed in wound complications, such as superficial wound necrosis (one patient in the IV-only and the high-dose combined group, respectively) and oozing (IV-only, IA-only, low-dose combined, high-dose combined = 3%, 4%, 4%, and 7%; p = 0.572) between the groups. No patients had a periprosthetic joint infection.

CONCLUSION

IA tranexamic acid administration further reduces blood loss after TKA in comparison to IV use alone; no additional effect in further reducing blood loss was found in combination with IV tranexamic acid. Appropriately powered studies are needed to confirm the safety of this route of administration as the preferred route of administration in TKA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, therapeutic study.

Combined Administration of Systemic and Topical Tranexamic Acid for Total Knee Arthroplasty: Can It Be a Better Regimen and Yet Safe? A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with substantial blood loss in postoperative period. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is potent antifibrinolytic agent, routinely administered by intravenous (IV) and topical route, which can possibly interrupt cascade of events due to hemostatic irregularities close to source of bleeding. However, scientific evidence of combined administration of TXA in TKA is still meagre. The present study aimed to compare efficacy of combined IV and topical TXA with IV use alone in terms of blood loss, transfusion rate, and incidence of deep vein thrombosis and thromboembolism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

119 patients undergoing unilateral TKA were randomized into IV alone and combined group. Patients assigned to IV group were given IV TXA as a preoperative and postoperative dose given 3 and 6 hours after surgery, whereas in combined group, topical TXA solution was applied intraarticularly about 5 minutes before closure of arthrotomy in addition to IV doses.

RESULTS

Combined use of IV and topical TXA provided better results than IV use alone with mean calculated total blood loss (590.69±191.1 vs 385.68±182.5, P<.001), blood transfusion rate (6.6% vs 1.6%, P = .364), hemoglobin drop (1.82±0.6 vs 1.14±0.5, P<.001). No case of DVT or TE was noted among the 2 study groups.

CONCLUSION

Combined use of IV and intraarticular TXA provided significantly better results compared with IV use alone with respect to all variables related to postoperative blood loss in TKA. Moreover, TXA use is safe in terms of incidence of symptomatic DVT and TE.

Role of tranexamic acid in reducing postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirement in patients undergoing hip and femoral surgeries

CONTEXT

Pharmacological agents are used to reduce postoperative blood loss.

AIMS

To assess the effects of tranexamic acid on prevention of bleeding and requirement of blood transfusion after major hip and femoral surgeries.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, double blinded study was conducted in the tertiary care teaching hospital.

METHODS

Ninety ASA grade I-II patients undergoing hip fracture surgery were included in this prospective study. Forty-five patients received tranexamic acid (TA) given in a bolus dose of 500 mg 15 min before surgical incision followed by continuous infusion. The remaining, 45 patients were allocated as a control group. Postoperative bleeding (volume of blood in the drain), percentage fall of hemoglobin, transfusions and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Mean volume of blood in the drain was 39.33±10.09 ml (mean±SD) as compared to 91.11±17.61 ml in placebo group showing a P<0.001. Mean percentage fall in Hb at day 0 was 2.99±3.45 in the study group as compared to 7.70±6.05 in the placebo group (P<0.001), and fall at day 2 in the study group was 0.35±0.74, compared to 2.72±2.70 in the placebo group (P<0.001). The number of patients required blood transfusions were lower in the study group than in the placebo group (P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that tranexamic acid significantly reduces postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements during major hip and femoral surgeries.

Effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss and transfusion requirement in total knee replacement in the Indian population: A case series

CONTEXT

Total knee replacement (TKR) is often carried out using a tourniquet to minimize intraoperative blood loss. However, its application enhances local fibrinolysis, resulting in excessive blood loss during the post-operative period. Fibrinolytic profile varies in different regions and races. Tranexamic acid has been shown to reduce post-operative blood loss and the need for transfusion in TKR. However, there is paucity of literature from the Indian population and the efficacy of the agent has not been tested in Indian patients undergoing TKR.

AIMS

Effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss in TKR surgery in the Indian population.

SETTING AND DESIGN

In this double-blinded study, 40 patients undergoing unilateral TKR were randomly divided into two groups.

METHODS

All patients were conducted under spinal anaesthesia using injection bupivacaine 0.5% heavy 12-15 mg. The treatment group received 10 mg/kg tranexamic acid, intravenous (IV), half an hour before deflation of the tourniquet, with a second dose of 2 mg/kg administered 3 hours after the first dose. The exact protocol was followed for the placebo group, except that normal saline was used instead of tranexamic acid. Blood loss, blood transfusion details and change in haemoglobin levels were noted.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Student's paired 't' test was used in statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The mean post-operative blood loss in the tranexamic acid group was 272.5±122.5 ml (mean±SD), and 685±118.2 ml in the placebo group (P<0.001). The total blood loss was lower in the tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group (427.6 ml vs. 911.6 ml; P<0.001). The absolute number of blood transfusions and the number of patients who required transfusions were lower in the tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group. None of the patients had any side or adverse effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Tranexamic acid significantly decreases post-operative blood loss and reduces the need for blood transfusion in patients undergoing TKR.