The efficacy of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss in total shoulder arthroplasty: A meta-analysis

Effect of tranexamic acid on shoulder surgery: an updated meta-analysis of randomized studies

BACKGROUND

The effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) has been proven to be effective in reducing blood loss in lower limb arthroplasty. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of TXA in shoulder surgery with the updated studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of all the randomized controlled trials were conducted. We compared the outcomes of patients with and without TXA. The PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were systematically searched for relevant studies.

RESULTS

A total of 14 studies, enrolling 1131 patients, were included for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Our results revealed that TXA was associated with a significant reduction in total volume blood loss (mean difference [MD]: -112.97, P = .0006), drain output (MD: -81.90, P < .00001), hemoglobin changes (MD: -0.55, P = .02), shorter operative time (MD: -6.19, P = .01), and lower risk of hematoma formation (odds ratio: -0.20, P = .01). The postoperative visual analog scale pain score was also significantly better in the TXA group (MD: -0.78, P < .00001). No significant difference was detected in length of hospital stay and incidence of thromboembolization.

CONCLUSION

The usage of TXA in shoulder surgery appeared to be safe and effective in reducing blood loss without any significant complication.

Tranexamic acid in total shoulder arthroplasty under regional anesthesia: a randomized, single blinded, controlled trial

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Tranexamic Acid (TXA) can significantly reduce perioperative blood loss in Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA) performed under regional anesthesia.

METHODS

We performed a randomized, single blinded, controlled study. Forty-five patients were submitted to TSA under regional anesthesia to treat cuff tear arthropathy, proximal humeral fractures, chronic instability, primary osteoarthrosis, and failures of previous prosthesis. Patients were randomized to either group TXA therapy (TXA), with 1 g intravenous (IV), or no Intervention (NTXA). Postoperative total drain output, hemoglobin variation, total blood loss, hemoglobin loss, and need for transfusion were measured. Pain-related variables were also assessed: postoperative pain assessment by visual analog scale, inpatient pain breakthrough, quality of recovery, length of stay, and coagulation function testing.

RESULTS

Participants presented a mean age of 76 years, 15.6% were male, 82.2% were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II. There were no differences between groups concerning transfusions, operative time, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) length of stay and in-hospital stay, and QoR-15 or postoperative pain. Bleeding measured by drain output at 2, 24 and 48 hours was significantly less in the TXA group at each timepoint. There was a difference in Hb variation - TXA: median (IQR) -1.4 (1.3) g.dL^-1 vs. NTXA: -2.2 (1.3) g.dL^-1; median difference: 0.80 (0.00-1.20); p = 0.047. aPTT was lower in TXA administered patients - TXA: median (IQR) 29.6 (14.0)s vs. NTXA: 33 (5.8)s; difference in medians: -4.00 (-6.50--1.00); p = 0.012.

CONCLUSION

TXA use significantly decreased blood loss measured by drain output and Hb drop in TSA under regional anesthesia.

Tranexamic acid achieves less blood loss volume of in primary shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis of level I randomized controlled trials

Background

Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces blood loss in knee and hip arthroplasty, but the effectiveness in shoulder arthroplasty is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate current level I randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy of TXA in primary shoulder arthroplasty.

Methods

A protocol for the study was designed and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021230398). The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the following search strategy: "shoulder replacement" OR "shoulder arthroplasty" OR "reverse shoulder arthroplasty" AND "tranexamic acid." All randomized controlled trials were included in this study. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was followed. Outcomes include blood loss, drain output, hemoglobin, thromboembolic complications, and blood transfusion.

Results

Five randomized controlled trials of 435 patients (219 patients in the TXA group and 216 patients in the non-TXA group) were included in the systematic review. The results indicated that the group using TXA had less total blood loss (MD, -249.56 mL; 95% confidence interval [CI] -347.60 to -151.52), less drainage output (MD, -113.72 mL; -155.92 to -71.52 95% CI), and less of a change in hemoglobin (MD, -0.68 g/dl; -0.94 to -0.42 g/dl 95% CI). No significant differences in blood transfusion (risk ratio 0.40; -0.11 to 1.45 95% CI) or thromboembolic events (risk ratio 0.13, 0.02 to 1.12 95% CI) were observed. Subgroup analyses showed that there was no significant difference in total blood loss, drainage output, or change in hemoglobin between single dose and multiple doses.

Conclusions

TXA in primary shoulder arthroplasty can reduce blood loss, drain output, and hemoglobin changes. Subgroup analysis showed that multiple TXA doses have similar results compared with single dose in primary shoulder arthroplasty. More randomized controlled trials comparing different administration routes of TXA in primary and revision shoulder arthroplasty are required.

Clinical Effectiveness of Intraoperative Tranexamic Acid Use in Shoulder Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used across surgical specialties to reduce perioperative bleeding. It has been shown to be effective in spinal surgery and lower limb arthroplasty. Among all languages, there are no systematic reviews or meta-analyses investigating its clinical effectiveness for all types of shoulder surgery.

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical effectiveness of TXA in all types of shoulder surgery, including open and arthroscopic procedures. To investigate the effect of TXA on bleeding and non-bleeding-related outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A protocol for the study was designed and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020185482). The literature search included the MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library databases. All randomized controlled trials evaluating the use of TXA against placebo, in all types of shoulder surgery, were included. Assessments were undertaken for risk of bias and certainty of evidence. The primary outcome was total blood loss. Secondary outcomes included those not directly related to bleeding. Data from comparable outcomes were pooled and analyzed quantitatively or descriptively, as appropriate.

RESULTS

Eight randomized controlled trials were included in the systematic review, and data from 7 of these studies were pooled in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in 2 of 3 outcomes measuring perioperative bleeding with TXA compared with controls: estimated total blood loss (mean difference, -209.66 mL; 95% CI, -389.11 to -30.21; P = .02) and postoperative blood loss as measured by drain output (mean difference, -84.8 mL; 95% CI, -140.04 to -29.56; P = .003). Hemoglobin reduction was reduced but not statistically significant (mean difference, -0.33 g/dL; 95% CI -0.69 to 0.03; P = .07). This result became significant with sensitivity analysis excluding arthroscopic procedures.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that TXA was effective in reducing blood loss in shoulder surgery. Larger randomized controlled trials with low risk of bias for specific surgical shoulder procedures are required.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

TXA can be used across shoulder surgery to reduced perioperative blood loss. The use of TXA may have other beneficial features, including reduced postoperative pain and reduced operative time.

A single dose of tranexamic acid reduces blood loss after reverse and anatomic shoulder arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Hematoma formation and the need for blood transfusions are commonly reported complications after shoulder arthroplasty. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been widely used in hip and knee arthroplasty to decrease perioperative blood loss. The role of TXA is still being established in shoulder arthroplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing intravenous TXA vs. placebo in 60 patients undergoing primary anatomic or reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Of these patients, 29 received a placebo whereas 31 received a single dose of 2 g of intravenous TXA. Patient demographic characteristics, as well as drain tube output, blood loss, hematoma formation, transfusion requirement, length of hospital stay, and pain score, were recorded. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks to assess for complications.

RESULTS

Patients who received TXA had a lower drain tube output at all time points: 41 mL vs. 133 mL at 6 hours, 75 mL vs. 179 mL at 12 hours, and 94 mL vs. 226 mL at 24 hours (P < .001 for all). They also had a higher postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level (12.3 g/dL vs. 11.4 g/dL, P = .009), lower change in Hb level (1.7 g/dL vs. 2.3 g/dL, P = .011), lower total Hb loss (0.078 g vs. 0.103 g, P = .042), lower blood volume loss (0.55 L vs. 0.74 L, P = .021), higher postoperative hematocrit level (36.7% vs. 34.6%, P = .020), and lower hematocrit change (5.4% vs. 7.6%, P = .022). There was no significant difference in pain score or length of hospital stay, and no patients required a transfusion.

CONCLUSION

A single dose of 2 g of intravenous TXA decreases blood loss and drain tube output in primary anatomic and reverse arthroplasty of the shoulder. No differences were detected in the occurrence of complications, need for transfusion, pain score, or length of hospital stay. With the mounting evidence now available, patients undergoing elective primary shoulder arthroplasty should be given intravenous TXA to decrease perioperative blood loss.

Tranexamic acid use to decrease blood loss in primary shoulder and elbow replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an inexpensive antifibrinolytic agent that significantly reduces peri-operative blood loss and transfusion requirements after total hip and knee replacement. This meta-analysis demonstrates the effects of TXA on blood loss in total shoulder replacement (TSR) and total elbow replacement (TER).

METHODS

We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL from inception to September 03, 2020 for randomised controlled trial (RCTs) and observational studies. Our primary outcome was blood loss. Secondary outcomes included the need for blood transfusion, and post-operative venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications. Mean differences (MD) and relative risks with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.

RESULTS

Four RCTs and five retrospective cohort studies (RCS) met eligibility criteria for TSRs, but none for TERs. RCT data determined that TXA administration significantly decreased estimated total blood loss (MD -358mL), post-operative blood loss (MD -113mL), change in haemoglobin (Hb) (MD -0.71 g/dL) and total Hb loss (MD -35.3g) when compared to placebo. RCS data demonstrated significant association between TXA administration and decreased in post-operative blood loss, change in Hb, change in Hct and length of stay. There was no significant difference in transfusion requirements or VTE complications.

CONCLUSION

TXA administration in safe and effective in patients undergoing primary TSR: it significantly decreases blood loss compared with placebo and is associated with shorter length of stay compared with no treatment. No significant increase in VTE complications was found. TXA administration should be routinely considered for patients undergoing TSR. Further research is needed to demonstrate the treatment effect in patients undergoing TER.

Inconclusive evidence for the efficacy of tranexamic acid in reducing transfusions, postoperative infection or hematoma formation after primary shoulder arthroplasty: A meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid efficacy on clinically relevant adverse outcomes in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty has been contradictory. The aim of this review was to analyze whether tranexamic acid administration could decrease transfusions, infection and hematoma formation in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to May 2019 for randomized controlled trials comparing tranexamic acid to placebo in shoulder arthroplasty. Random-effect models were performed to meta-analyze the evidence. Trial sequential analysis was used to calculate and to establish the conclusiveness of the evidence derived from the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Four randomized controlled trials comprising 375 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed no effect of tranexamic acid on transfusion rate (RR = 0.48 (adjusted 95% CI 0.05 to 3.85)). The possible effect of tranexamic acid on hematoma formation or infection rates after shoulder arthroplasty is non-estimable with the current evidence. The sample size necessary to reliably determine if tranexamic acid decreases transfusions, infection rates and hematoma formation is not available from the current literature as determined by the trial sequential analysis.

DISCUSSION

While tranexamic acid has proven its efficacy in decreasing blood loss in shoulder arthroplasty, this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials clarifies that there is currently no conclusive evidence for a positive effect of tranexamic acid upon transfusion rate, infection rates or hematoma formation in patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty.

Routine postoperative laboratory tests are unnecessary after primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Obtaining postoperative laboratory studies after primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a common practice. However, justification of this practice remains unclear. This study assesses the utility of routine postoperative laboratory studies in RSA.

METHODS

The electronic medical records of 369 patients who underwent RSA over 10 years were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 213 patients qualified for analysis. Primary outcomes were intervention related to abnormal laboratory values, length of stay, and 90-day emergency department visits/readmissions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with abnormal laboratory values and postoperative visits/readmissions.

RESULTS

Of 213 patients analyzed, 188 (88.7%) had abnormal postoperative laboratory values: 69% had an abnormal hemoglobin (Hgb) or hematocrit level, but only 12% underwent interventions. Lower preoperative Hgb was a significant predictor of receiving a transfusion. A significant association existed between abnormal postoperative electrolyte and creatinine levels with lower body mass index (BMI) and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Only 4 patients (1.8%) received non-transfusion related intervention. Emergency department visits were not statistically different between patients with positive or negative laboratory tests (P = .73).

CONCLUSION

Because 87.3% of laboratory studies did not influence patient management, we recommend against routine testing for primary RSA. This study demonstrates that the practice of obtaining routine postoperative laboratory studies is not justified. We recommend selectively obtaining a postoperative basic metabolic profile in patients with increased American Society of Anesthesiologists classification and/or CCI with a lower BMI. We also recommend selectively ordering postoperative complete blood count in patients with a lower preoperative Hgb.

The use of intra-operative tranexamic acid in shoulder surgery: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Blood loss is an important consideration in all types of shoulder surgery. Excessive bleeding is associated with increased morbidity. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent. It has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing blood loss across multiple surgical specialties. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to review the literature evaluating clinical outcomes associated with the use of TXA in shoulder surgery.

METHODS

The study protocol was designed and registered prospectively on PROSPERO (International prospective register for systematic reviews). Literature search will include the MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library databases. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of TXA against placebo, in all types of shoulder surgery, will be included. Our primary outcome is total blood loss (ml). Secondary outcomes include patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), adverse events, and number of blood transfusions required. Risk of bias will be assessed within each study using The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 and the Jadad score. Inconsistency and bias across included studies will be assessed statistically. Data from comparable outcomes will be pooled and analysed quantitatively or descriptively as appropriate.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No ethical clearances required for this study. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. It will be presented a various national and international conferences.