Topical and Intravenous Tranexamic Acid Are Equivalent in Decreasing Blood Loss in Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Tranexamic Acid in Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Scoping Review of Current Practices and Future Directions

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA) as an antifibrinolytic agent in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is well documented; however, there remains considerable practice variability concerning the optimal route of administration and dosing protocols concerning the medication's use. Our aim was to conduct a scoping review of the literature regarding the efficacy of various methods of TXA administration in TSA and to identify knowledge gaps that may be addressed.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. The PubMed and MEDLINE electronic databases were searched to identify all articles published before March 2023 investigating the administration of TXA in TSA. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies were included, and data were extracted to capture information regarding intervention details and related outcomes such as blood loss, transfusion needs, and complication rates.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies were included in this review. All selected studies used either intravenous (IV) or topical TXA, with 1 study also including a combined approach of both topical and IV TXA. Of the studies that used an IV approach, the most commonly reported favorable outcomes were a reduction in blood volume loss, reduction in hemoglobin or hematocrit change, and decreased drain output. Dosing varied significantly between all identified studies because some used a standard dosing amount in grams or milligrams for all treatment group participants, whereas others used weight-based dosing amounts. All studies that used a weight-based dosing regimen as well as studies using a standard dosing amount between 1,000 and 5,000 mg reported favorable outcomes for postoperative blood loss.

CONCLUSION

Both IV and topical TXA clearly demonstrate favorable perioperative hematologic profiles in TSA. Although both approaches have demonstrated a successful association with decreased blood loss and transfusion requirements, there is no definitive benefit to choosing one over the other. Furthermore, the use of oral TXA either in combination or isolation warrants further study in TSA because of its comparable efficacy profiles and significantly lower associated costs of application.

Tranexamic Acid for Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent that has been shown to decrease blood loss and transfusion rates after knee and hip arthroplasty, however with only limited evidence to support its use in shoulder arthroplasty. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical usefulness of tranexamic acid for shoulder arthroplasty. A thorough literature search was conducted across four electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus) from inception through to 1 December 2021. The mean difference (MD), odds ratio (OR) or relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate pooled results from studies. Total of 10 studies comprising of 993 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Blood volume loss in the TXA and non-TXA group was 0.66 ± 0.52 vs. 0.834 ± 0.592 L (MD= -0.15; 95%CI: -0.23 to -0.07; p < 0.001). Change of hemoglobin levels were 2.2 ± 1.0 for TXA group compared to 2.7 ± 1.1 for non-TXA group (MD= -0.51; 95%CI: -0.57 to -0.44; p < 0.001) and hematocrit change was 6.1 ± 2.7% vs. 7.9 ± 3.1%, respectively; (MD= -1.43; 95%CI: -2.27 to -0.59; p < 0.001). Tranexamic acid use for shoulder arthroplasty reduces blood volume loss during and after surgery and reduces drain output and hematocrit change.

Intravenous tranexamic acid vs. topical thrombin in total shoulder arthroplasty: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

Blood loss and transfusions have been highlighted as a significant predictor of postoperative morbidity. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to decrease blood loss and transfusion in shoulder arthroplasty. However, the utility of topical thrombin in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of topical thrombin in TSA and compare the effectiveness of topical thrombin to intravenous (IV) TXA.

METHODS

An institutional database was used to query shoulder arthroplasty patients from January 2017 to July 2019. Patients undergoing TSA were identified with CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) code (23742). After excluding reverse shoulder arthroplasty, arthroplasty for fracture or revision, the study groups were stratified based on intervention with IV TXA, topical thrombin, or neither. Patient demographics, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, baseline coagulopathy, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels, operative time, transfusion, length of stay, and 90-day readmission for each treatment group was obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 283 TSA cases were included for final analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline characteristics with age, body mass index, or ASA class. The postoperative hemoglobin level (mg/dL) was higher in the group that received either IV TXA or thrombin compared with no hemostatic agents (P = .001). Calculated blood loss in TSA was significantly higher in the group without hemostatic agents, 369.8 mL (standard deviation [SD] 59.5), compared with IV TXA or topical thrombin, 344.3 mL (SD 67.1) and 342.9 mL (SD 65.6) (P = .03). Operative time was highest in the group that received no hemostatic agents, 2.3 hours (SD 0.6) (P = .01). The transfusion rate for TSA treated with IV TXA or topical thrombin was equivalent (2.2%) but significantly lower than the no intervention group (12%) (P = .01). The odds ratio for transfusion with IV TXA was 0.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07-0.40, P = .001) and for topical thrombin, 0.1 (95% CI 0.02-0.42, P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Topical thrombin is an effective adjunct to reduce blood loss and transfusion risk after TSA and a reasonable intraoperative alternative for TXA for patients with contraindication to IV TXA.