Blood-saving effect of tranexamic acid in off-pump coronary artery bypass

Abstract

Objective To investigate the blood-saving effect of tranexamic acid in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). Methods Two hundred and sixty ASA Ⅰ- Ⅲ and NYHA Ⅰ- Ⅲ patients of both sexes,aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index 16-22 kg/m2 , undergoing OPCAB, were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 130 each): control group (group C) and tranexamic acid group (group T) . Anesthesia was induced with iv injection of midazolam 0.1 mg/kg, fentanyl 5-10μg/kg and pipecuronium 0.1 mg/kg. The patients were tracheal intubated and mechanically ventilated. PEr CO2 was maintained at 35-45 mm Hg. A bolus of tranexamic acid 1 g was infused intravenously within 30 min after indution followed by continuous infusion at 400 mg/h until the end of operation in group T. While equal volume of normal saline was given in control group. Anesthesia was maintained with inhalation of isoflurane and intermittent iv injection of fentanyl and pipecuronium. Venous blood samples were taken before induction, at the end of operation and at 24 h after operation for determination of Hb, platelet count (P1t), prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR). The volume of chest tube drainage was collected and recorded at 6 and 24 h after operation. The requirement for transfusion of allogeneic red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma was also recorded. Results There was no significant difference in Hb, Plt, PTand INR at each time point between the two groups ( P ＞ 0.05). The requirement for transfusion of allogeneic red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma was significantly reduced in group T as compared with group C ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ). No deaths and complications occurred during hospital stay in the two groups. Conclusion Tranexamic acid exerts the blood-saving effect in OPCAB. Key words: Tranexamic acid; Coronary artery bypass, off-pump; Postoperative hemorrhage; Blood transfusion