Influence of tranexamic acid in postoperative bleeding of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of tranexamic acid in postoperative bleeding of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. METHOD: 51 patients who underwent heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were randomly divided in 2 groups: Group I - control, with 12 coronary artery disease patients and 14 valve disease patients. Group II - Tranexamic acid, with 14 coronary artery disease patients and 11 valve disease patients. The Group I after venous access, received 250 ml of 0.9% normal saline solution as a placebo, Group II received 100 milligram per kilogram of body weight of tranexamic acid diluted in 250 ml of 0.9% normal saline solution. Blood samples were taken and examined at entry to Intensive care unit and after 12, 24 and 36 hours in the postoperative period. The groups were compared concerning factors which might influence the postoperative bleeding and transfusion required: age, gender, creatinine, duration of Cardiopulmonary bypass, hematocrit, platelets and fibrinogen variations, number of saphenous vein grafts performed, mammary artery used and valve replacement or repair. The postoperative bleeding was evaluated from the 1st to 4th hours and the total. Data were analyzed by appropriate statistic methods (Student T-test, X² test and Fischer's test); a p-value of less than 0.05 was the accepted level of significance. RESULTS: Concerning the postoperative bleeding and transfusion required, there was a statistically significant reduction in its average in valve disease patients in Group II. In coronary disease patients there was only a slight tendency. There was no significant statistical difference as far as the thromboembolic or renal complications were concerned. CONCLUSION: In valve disease patients, there was a reduction in bleeding and the need of transfusions of red blood cells, both of which had statistical differences. In coronary disease patients there was only a reduced tendency. The use of tranexamic acid was not related to further thromboembolic complications or renal insufficiency in the assessed groups.