Telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditária: ácido tranexâmico no tratamento de úlcera plantar

The use of tranexamic acid in patients submitted to primary total hip arthroplasty: an evaluation of its impact in different administration protocols

OBJECTIVES

There is still no consensus as to the best form and dosages of use of tranexamic acid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of tranexamic acid in total hip arthroplasty, in order to reduce blood loss and decrease hemoglobin, taking into account different administration protocols.

METHODS

42 patients submitted to total hip arthroplasty were divided into three groups. The study was prospective and randomized. Group 1 received a venous dose of tranexamic acid of 15 mg/kg, 20 min prior to bolus incision. Group 2 received an intravenous dose of 15 mg/kg bolus, 20 min before the incision, and an extra dose of 10 mg/kg by infusion pump during the duration of the surgical procedure. Patients in group 3 did not receive tranexamic acid, being the control group. Pre- and post-operative hemoglobin levels were measured and blood loss was measured 24 h after surgery using a Portovac drain.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in the amount of bleeding through the Portovac drain and reduction in postoperative hemoglobin drop in patients who used tranexamic acid. There was neither significant difference in hemoglobin drop between groups 1 and 2, nor was there a need for hemotransfusion. Two patients in group 3 required blood transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings demonstrated that the use of intravenous tranexamic acid in total hip arthroplasty reduced postoperative bleeding rates and significantly reduced serum hemoglobin without increasing thromboembolic effects. The bolus and bolus + infusion pump methods were shown to have a similar influence on hemoglobin and need for blood transfusion.

Case for diagnosis. Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

The Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome or Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is a systemic fibrovascular dysplasia characterized by defects in the elastic and vascular walls of blood vessels, making them varicose and prone to disruptions. Lesions occur in different organs and can lead to hemorrhage in the lungs, digestive tract and brain. We describe the case of a patient with cutaneous manifestations and severe impairment of the digestive tract. It is important for the dermatologist to recognize this syndrome, since the cutaneous lesions may play a key role in diagnosis.

Syndrome in question

Rendu-Osler-Weber Syndrome also known as Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia is a rare systemic fibrovascular dysplasia, with dominant autosomal inheritance. It is characterized by recurrent epistaxis, mucocutaneous telangiectasia, visceral arteriovenous malformation and positive family history. There may be hematologic, neurologic, dermatologic and gastrointestinal complications. Therapy is supportive and aimed at preventing complications. In this article we report a case of Rendu-Osler-Weber in a 64 year-old man, with history of mucocutaneous telangiectasia since the third decade of life, recurrent epistaxis, positive family history and vascular ectasia in the gastrointestinal tract.