Does a single loading dose of tranexamic acid reduce perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements after total knee replacement surgery? A randomized, controlled trial

Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of bleeding in people undergoing elective hip or knee surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hip and knee replacement surgery is a well-established means of improving quality of life, but is associated with a significant risk of bleeding. One-third of people are estimated to be anaemic before hip or knee replacement surgery; coupled with the blood lost during surgery, up to 90% of individuals are anaemic postoperatively. As a result, people undergoing orthopaedic surgery receive 3.9% of all packed red blood cell transfusions in the UK. Bleeding and the need for allogeneic blood transfusions has been shown to increase the risk of surgical site infection and mortality, and is associated with an increased duration of hospital stay and costs associated with surgery. Reducing blood loss during surgery may reduce the risk of allogeneic blood transfusion, reduce costs and improve outcomes following surgery. Several pharmacological interventions are available and currently employed as part of routine clinical care.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relative efficacy of pharmacological interventions for preventing blood loss in elective primary or revision hip or knee replacement, and to identify optimal administration of interventions regarding timing, dose and route, using network meta-analysis (NMA) methodology.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews, from inception to 18 October 2022: CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library), MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Transfusion Evidence Library (Evidentia), ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP).

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs of people undergoing elective hip or knee surgery only. We excluded non-elective or emergency procedures, and studies published since 2010 that had not been prospectively registered (Cochrane Injuries policy). There were no restrictions on gender, ethnicity or age (adults only). We excluded studies that used standard of care as the comparator. Eligible interventions included: antifibrinolytics (tranexamic acid (TXA), aprotinin, epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA)), desmopressin, factor VIIa and XIII, fibrinogen, fibrin sealants and non-fibrin sealants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We performed the review according to standard Cochrane methodology. Two authors independently assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted data. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using CINeMA. We presented direct (pairwise) results using RevMan Web and performed the NMA using BUGSnet. We were interested in the following primary outcomes: need for allogenic blood transfusion (up to 30 days) and all-cause mortality (deaths occurring up to 30 days after the operation), and the following secondary outcomes: mean number of transfusion episodes per person (up to 30 days), re-operation due to bleeding (within seven days), length of hospital stay and adverse events related to the intervention received.

MAIN RESULTS

We included a total of 102 studies. Twelve studies did not report the number of included participants; the other 90 studies included 8418 participants. Trials included more women (64%) than men (36%). In the NMA for allogeneic blood transfusion, we included 47 studies (4398 participants). Most studies examined TXA (58 arms, 56%). We found that TXA, given intra-articularly and orally at a total dose of greater than 3 g pre-incision, intraoperatively and postoperatively, ranked the highest, with an anticipated absolute effect of 147 fewer blood transfusions per 1000 people (150 fewer to 104 fewer) (53% chance of ranking 1st) within the NMA (risk ratio (RR) 0.02, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0 to 0.31; moderate-certainty evidence). This was followed by TXA given orally at a total dose of 3 g pre-incision and postoperatively (RR 0.06, 95% CrI 0.00 to 1.34; low-certainty evidence) and TXA given intravenously and orally at a total dose of greater than 3 g intraoperatively and postoperatively (RR 0.10, 95% CrI 0.02 to 0.55; low-certainty evidence). Aprotinin (RR 0.59, 95% CrI 0.36 to 0.96; low-certainty evidence), topical fibrin (RR 0.86, CrI 0.25 to 2.93; very low-certainty evidence) and EACA (RR 0.60, 95% CrI 0.29 to 1.27; very low-certainty evidence) were not shown to be as effective compared with TXA at reducing the risk of blood transfusion. We were unable to perform an NMA for our primary outcome all-cause mortality within 30 days of surgery due to the large number of studies with zero events, or because the outcome was not reported. In the NMA for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), we included 19 studies (2395 participants). Most studies examined TXA (27 arms, 64%). No studies assessed desmopressin, EACA or topical fibrin. We found that TXA given intravenously and orally at a total dose of greater than 3 g intraoperatively and postoperatively ranked the highest, with an anticipated absolute effect of 67 fewer DVTs per 1000 people (67 fewer to 34 more) (26% chance of ranking first) within the NMA (RR 0.16, 95% CrI 0.02 to 1.43; low-certainty evidence). This was followed by TXA given intravenously and intra-articularly at a total dose of 2 g pre-incision and intraoperatively (RR 0.21, 95% CrI 0.00 to 9.12; low-certainty evidence) and TXA given intravenously and intra-articularly, total dose greater than 3 g pre-incision, intraoperatively and postoperatively (RR 0.13, 95% CrI 0.01 to 3.11; low-certainty evidence). Aprotinin was not shown to be as effective compared with TXA (RR 0.67, 95% CrI 0.28 to 1.62; very low-certainty evidence). We were unable to perform an NMA for our secondary outcomes pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and CVA (stroke) within 30 days, mean number of transfusion episodes per person (up to 30 days), re-operation due to bleeding (within seven days), or length of hospital stay, due to the large number of studies with zero events, or because the outcome was not reported by enough studies to build a network. There are 30 ongoing trials planning to recruit 3776 participants, the majority examining TXA (26 trials).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found that of all the interventions studied, TXA is probably the most effective intervention for preventing bleeding in people undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery. Aprotinin and EACA may not be as effective as TXA at preventing the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. We were not able to draw strong conclusions on the optimal dose, route and timing of administration of TXA. We found that TXA given at higher doses tended to rank higher in the treatment hierarchy, and we also found that it may be more beneficial to use a mixed route of administration (oral and intra-articular, oral and intravenous, or intravenous and intra-articular). Oral administration may be as effective as intravenous administration of TXA. We found little to no evidence of harm associated with higher doses of tranexamic acid in the risk of DVT. However, we are not able to definitively draw these conclusions based on the trials included within this review.

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.

Complications of Tranexamic Acid in Orthopedic Lower Limb Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is increasingly used in orthopedic surgery to reduce blood loss; however, there are concerns about the risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate TXA safety in patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgical procedures.

Design

A meta-analysis was performed on the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases in January 2020 using the following string (Tranexamic acid) AND ((knee) OR (hip) OR (ankle) OR (lower limb)) to identify RCTs about TXA use in patients undergoing every kind of lower limb surgical orthopedic procedures, with IV, IA, or oral administration, and compared with a control arm to quantify the VTE complication rates.

Results

A total of 140 articles documenting 9,067 patients receiving TXA were identified. Specifically, 82 studies focused on TKA, 41 on THA, and 17 on other surgeries, including anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, intertrochanteric fractures, and meniscectomies. The intravenous TXA administration protocol was studied in 111 articles, the intra-articular in 45, and the oral one in 7 articles. No differences in terms of thromboembolic complications were detected between the TXA and control groups neither in the overall population (2.4% and 2.8%, respectively) nor in any subgroup based on the surgical procedure and TXA administration route.

Conclusions

There is an increasing interest in TXA use, which has been recently broadened from the most common joint replacement procedures to the other types of surgeries. Overall, TXA did not increase the risk of VTE complications, regardless of the administration route, thus supporting the safety of using TXA for lower limb orthopedic surgical procedures.

Is there a maximal effect of tranexamic acid in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty? A randomized controlled trial

The optimal dosing regimen of tranexamic acid (TXA) has not been determined in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In this study, patients were randomized to receive a high initial‐dose (60 mg/kg) TXA before incision, followed by five doses 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours later (A), or three doses 3, 12, and 24 hours later (B), or a single dose 3 hours later (C). The primary outcome was perioperative blood loss. Other outcomes such as, hemoglobin level, transfusion, the levels of fibrin (ogen) degradation products (FDP), D‐dimer, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), coagulation parameters, and adverse events were also compared. The results showed that individuals in Groups A and B had reduced total and hidden blood loss (HBL), lower FDP, D‐dimer, CRP, and IL‐6 levels than in Group C. Such differences were also detected in HBL between Groups A and B. No differences were observed in other outcomes between Groups A and B. No differences were observed in coagulation parameters and adverse events among the three groups. In conclusion, a high initial‐dose (60 mg/kg) TXA before TKA followed by three doses can be sufficient to achieve maximal effects on total blood loss, fibrinolysis, and inflammation.

The antifibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory effects of a high initial-dose tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a high initial-dose (60 mg/kg) intravenous tranexamic acid (IV-TXA) on fibrinolysis and inflammation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS

A total of 132 patients were categorized into two groups based on different TXA regimens: 20 mg/kg before incision (A) or 60 mg/kg before incision (B). All patients received five doses of 1 g TXA at three, six, 12, 18, and 24 hours after the first dose. The primary outcomes were peri-operative blood loss and transfusion rate. Other outcome measurements such as, haemoglobin level, fibrinolysis parameters [fibrin(-ogen) degradation products (FDP), D-dimer], inflammatory factors [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6)], visual analog scale (VAS) score, consumption of analgesic rescue, coagulation parameters [activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), platelet count, thrombelastography (TEG), and anti-factor Xa activity (AFXa)] and complications, were also compared.

RESULTS

There was a favourable effect in reducing peri-operative blood loss and transfusion rate for patients in Group B, compared with patients in Group A. In addition, the levels of FDP, D-dimer, CRP, IL-6, and dynamic pain in Group B were significantly lower than those in Group A on post-operative days one, two and three. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative coagulation parameters and complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

A high initial-dose (60 mg/kg) IV-TXA before surgery followed by five doses can further reduce blood loss, provide additional fibrinolysis and inflammation control, and ameliorate post-operative pain following TKA, without increasing the risk of treatment-related complications.

The Effect of Tranexamic Acid Administration on Perioperative Bleeding in Patients Undergoing Knee or Hip Arthroplasty: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study

Objective

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been used to reduce perioperative bleeding in various surgeries because of its antifibrinolytic effect. Recently, patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery in our institution received a loading dose of TXA (10 00 mg) before surgery, followed by 100 mg h⁻¹ until the end of surgery. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of TXA administration on the perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing knee arthroplasty or hip arthroplasty.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted for the records in patients who underwent surgery without TXA administration (control group) and patients who underwent surgery with TXA administration (TXA group). Amount of intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative infusion volume, intraoperative blood transfusion volume, postoperative blood transfusion volume, changes in haemoglobin concentrations (ΔHb) and estimated blood loss were collected. Data were adjusted by propensity score method.

Results

A total of 126 (63 in the control group and 63 in the TXA group) patients were included during the study period. Intraoperative infusion, postoperative transfusion, ΔHb and estimated blood loss were significantly reduced in the TXA group, although there were no significant differences in the volumes of intraoperative transfusion and blood loss.

Conclusion

The administration of TXA (loading dose of 1000 mg and continuous infusion of 100 mg h⁻¹) reduced postoperative transfusion and perioperative blood loss. These results indicated that TXA administration is useful for reducing perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty.

Reducing perioperative blood loss with antifibrinolytics and antifibrinolytic-like agents for patients undergoing total hip and total knee arthroplasty

Total hip and knee arthroplasties may be associated with a significant amount of perioperative blood loss. The severity of blood loss may be great enough to require the use of blood transfusions to treat perioperative anemia. Various methods of blood preservation have been studied. The use of antifibrinolytics and antifibrinolytic-like agents to reduce perioperative bleeding has been researched in orthopaedics and other surgical subspecialties. This review aims to evaluate the current evidence supporting the use of tranexamic acid, aminocaproic acid, fibrin tissue adhesive, and aprotinin in the reduction of perioperative blood loss in total hip and knee arthroplasties.

An evidence-based review of enhanced recovery after surgery in total knee replacement surgery

Rationale: Enhanced recovery after surgery is gaining popularity among orthopaedic surgeons across the globe and hence a strong evidence base had to be reviewed to make an evidence-based sustainable protocol.

Methods

The following databases, PubMed, OVID, Cochrane database and EMBASE were searched. The search was limited to 15 components of enhanced recovery after surgery programme which is divided into preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative phases. Inclusion criteria were restricted to articles published in English within the last 15 years and articles comprising of unicompartmental arthroplasty, revision knee arthroplasty, bilateral simultaneous knee arthroplasty and only hip arthroplasty excluded. The full texts were analysed and controversies and limitations of various studies were summarised.

Discussion

Each component of the programme was thoroughly reviewed and strength and weaknesses of the evidence base summarised. The strength of the evidence was assessed by critically appraising the study methodology and justifying the appropriateness of the inclusion in enhanced recovery after surgery protocol.

Conclusion

Enhanced recovery after surgery has already been used successfully in various surgical specialities. Enhanced recovery after surgery programmes in knee arthroplasty are yet to be established as a universal practice to be adopted globally. This evidence-based review provides an insight into the best evidence linked to each component and their rationale for inclusion in the proposed enhanced recovery after surgery protocol.

Exclusion criteria and adverse events in perioperative trials of tranexamic acid: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an inexpensive therapy effective at minimizing perioperative blood loss and transfusion. However, it remains underutilized due to safety concerns. To date, no evidence-based guidelines exist identifying which patients should not receive TXA therapy. This study determined patient groups for whom safety information regarding TXA is lacking due to common exclusion from perioperative TXA trials.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A systematic review searching the databases Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Clinicaltrials.gov was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) administering systemic TXA perioperatively to elective or emergent surgery patients were eligible. Our primary outcome was to describe exclusion criteria of RCTs, and the secondary outcome was TXA safety. A descriptive synthesis of exclusion criteria was performed, and TXA safety was assessed by meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 268 eligible RCTs were included. Meta-analysis showed that systemic TXA did not increase risk of adverse events compared to placebo or no intervention (relative risk, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.12). Patient groups commonly excluded from perioperative TXA trials, and thus potentially lacking TXA safety data, were those with major comorbidities, a history of thromboembolism, medication use affecting coagulation, TXA allergy, and coagulopathy. Exclusion of patients with major comorbidities may not be necessary; we showed that the risk of adverse events was similar in studies that excluded patients with major comorbidities and those that did not.

CONCLUSION

Sufficient evidence exists to develop perioperative guidelines for TXA use in many populations. Further studies evaluating perioperative TXA use in patients with a history of thromboembolism are warranted.

The Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

A growing body of published research on tranexamic acid (TXA) suggests that it is effective in reducing blood loss and the risk for transfusion in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this network meta-analysis was to evaluate TXA in primary TKA as the basis for the efficacy recommendations of the combined clinical practice guidelines of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Hip Society, Knee Society, and American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine on the use of TXA in primary total joint arthroplasty.

METHODS

We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Reviews, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for publications before July 2017 on TXA in primary total joint arthroplasty. All included studies underwent qualitative and quantitative homogeneity testing. Direct and indirect comparisons were performed as a network meta-analysis, and results were tested for consistency.

RESULTS

After critical appraisal of the available 2113 publications, 67 articles were identified as representing the best available evidence. Topical, intravenous (IV), and oral TXA formulations were all superior to placebo in terms of decreasing blood loss and risk of transfusion, while no formulation was clearly superior. Use of repeat IV and oral TXA dosing and higher doses of IV and topical TXA did not significantly reduce blood loss or risk of transfusion. Preincision administration of IV TXA had inconsistent findings with a reduced risk of transfusion but no effect on volume of blood loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Strong evidence supports the efficacy of TXA to decrease blood loss and the risk of transfusion after primary TKA. No TXA formulation, dosage, or number of doses provided clearly improved blood-sparing properties for TKA. Moderate evidence supports preincision administration of IV TXA to improve efficacy.

The Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Direct Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective in reducing blood loss in total joint arthroplasty (TJA), but concerns still remain regarding the drug's safety. The purpose of this direct meta-analysis was to evaluate and establish a basis for the safety recommendations of the combined clinical practice guidelines on the use of TXA in primary TJA.

METHODS

A search was completed for studies published before July 2017 on TXA in primary TJA. We performed qualitative and quantitative homogeneity testing and a direct comparison meta-analysis. We used the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 3 or greater as a proxy for patients at higher risk for complications in general and performed a meta-regression analysis to investigate the influence of comorbidity burden on the risk of arterial thromboembolic event and venous thromboembolic event (VTE).

RESULTS

Topical, intravenous, and oral TXA were not associated with an increased risk of VTE after TJA. In addition, meta-regression demonstrated that TXA use in patients with an ASA status of 3 or greater was not associated with an increased risk of VTE after total knee arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

Although most studies included in our analysis excluded patients with a history of prior thromboembolic events, our findings support the lack of evidence of harm from TXA administration in patients undergoing TJA. Moderate evidence supports the safety of TXA in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty with an ASA score of 3 or greater. The benefits of using TXA appear to outweigh the potential risks of thromboembolic events even in patients with a higher comorbidity.

The Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid on Blood Loss from Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

INTRODUCTION

The efficacy of tranexamic acid to control blood loss from lumbar spinal fusion surgery remains controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of tranexamic acid on blood loss from lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library databases through March 2018 for randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss from lumbar spinal fusion surgery. A meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model.

RESULTS

Six randomized controlled trials involving 394 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for lumbar spinal fusion surgery, tranexamic acid significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss (standard mean difference [Std. MD] -0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.58 to -0.06; P = 0.02), and drain (Std. MD -1.12; 95% CI -1.59 to -0.64; P < 0.00001) but had no remarkable influence on hemoglobin (Std. MD -0.10; 95% CI -0.56 to 0.37; P = 0.68) and hematocrit (Std. MD -0.34; 95% CI -1.08 to 0.40; P = 0.37) 1 day after surgery and transfusion (risk ratio 0.44; 95% CI 0.16-1.19; P = 0.11). Duration of hospitalization was found to be shortened by tranexamic acid (Std. MD -1.00; 95% CI -1.68 to -0.32; P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Tranexamic acid has an important ability to decrease intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization for lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Continuous infusion of coagulation factor concentrates during intensive treatment

In clinical management of bleeds and surgical procedures in patients suffering from bleeding disorders either repetitive bolus injections (BI) or continuous infusion (CI) can be used for coagulation factor replacement. Continuous infusion seems to be an attractive route of administration and may be considered if replacement therapy is required for more than 3 days. The strongest argument favouring continuous infusion is its superiority in providing the patient with a safe and constant level of the deficient coagulation factor by balancing input with clearance. Furthermore, several studies have shown that coagulation factor consumption may be reduced by CI compared to repetitive bolus injections (BI) since unnecessary peaks of factor level are avoided. Concerns have been raised whether continuous infusion of coagulation concentrates is associated with an increased risk of developing inhibitors. However, available data have so far not shown an increased risk for inhibitor development in severe haemophilia patients with more than 50 exposure days of coagulation factor concentrates. Further, previously reported complications when using CI such as phlebitis at the infusion site and pump failure are nowadays very seldom seen when small amounts of heparin are added to the infusion bag, and increased quality of the pumps are available. Over the last decades, numerous reports have confirmed CI to be a safe and effective mode of coagulation factor replacement even in the most challenging surgical procedures, such as total joint arthroplasties.

Predictors of blood transfusion following total knee replacement at a tertiary care center in Central Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES

To examine the incidence and predictors of blood transfusion following total knee replacement (TKR). Methods: A retrospective study on 462 patients of primary TKR at National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics were compared by blood transfusion status and significant variables were further included in the multivariable model. Results: Overall transfusion rate following TKR was 35.3%. Regression analyses identified bilateral surgery, low preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level, and high amount of blood loss as predictors of blood transfusion.  Conclusion: Correction of Hb level prior to surgery, careful hemostasis, and avoiding bilateral surgery may reduce the rate of blood transfusion following TKR.