Intravenous Topical Tranexamic Acid Research Articles

Topical tranexamic acid (TXA) is non-inferior to intravenous TXA in adult spine surgery: a meta-analysis.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has long been utilized in spine surgery and can be administered through intravenous (IV)and topical routes. Although, topical and IV administration of TXA are both effective in decreasing blood loss during spine surgery, complications like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism have been reported with the use of intravenous TXA (ivTXA). These potential complications may be mitigated through the use of topical TXA (tTXA). To assess optimal dosing protocols and efficacy of topical TXA in spine surgery, Embase, Ovid-MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov were queried for original research on the use of tTXA in adult patients undergoing spine surgery. Data parameters analyzed included blood loss, transfusion rate, thromboembolic, and other complications. Data was synthesized and confidence evaluated according to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Nineteen studies were included in the final analysis with 2197 patients. Of the 18 published studies, 9 (50%) displayed high levels of evidence. Topical TXA showed a trend towards a lower risk of transfusion and complications. Protocols that used 1g tTXA showed a significantly reduced risk for transfusion when compared to controls (risk ratio -1.05, 95% CI (-1.62, -0.48); P = 0.94, I2 = 0%). Complications associated with tTXA included DVTs and wound infections. Topical TXA was non-inferior to intravenous TXA with similar efficacy and complication profiles for bleeding control in spine surgery; however, more studies are needed to discern benefits and risks.

The Effect of Topical Tranexamic Acid on Intraoperative Blood Loss in Patients Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Laminectomy and Discectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial Study.

Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial study. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) on intraoperative blood loss (IBL) in patients that have degenerative lumbar canal stenosis and undergo posterior lumbar laminectomy and discectomy. The volume of IBL is directly proportional to potential surgical complications. Recent reports have shown that the topical use of antifibrinolytic drugs, such as TXA, during surgery might decrease IBL and improve patient outcomes. A total of 104 patients with lumbar canal stenosis were enrolled in this randomized, double blinded clinical trial. Participants were randomized and divided into two groups: TXA (54 cases) and control (50 cases). In the TXA group, a TXA solution was used for washing and soaking, whereas, in the control group, irrigation of wound was with normal saline. IBL, pre- and postoperative coagulative studies, operation time, conventional hemostatic agent usage, systemic complications, and length of hospitalization were consecutively recorded. All participants were followed for an additional two months to gather data on their recovery status and time to return to work (RTW). At baseline, there was no difference in clinical or lab findings, between the groups. IBL and use of hemostatic agents were significantly decreased in TXA group, as compared to the control group (p=0.001 and p=0.011, respectively). Systemic complications, length of hospitalization, and RTW were not significantly different between groups (p=0.47, p=0.38, and p=0.08, respectively). This study showed that topical use of TXA during surgery may decrease IBL and minimize the use of hemostatic materials during posterior midline-approach laminectomy and discectomy, without increasing the potential for complications seen with intravenous TXA usage.

COMPARISON OF HEMOSTASIS WITH TRANEXAMIC ACID IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY.

ABSTRACTObjective: To compare the use of intravenous and topical tranexamic acid (TXA) in unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in relation to blood loss and complications inherent to the medication.Method: Three groups with 14 patients each were constituted, and all of them were operated using the same surgical technique. In Group 1, usual measures for bleeding control were performed. Group 2 patients received TXA topically on the joint surface. In Group 3, intravenous TXA was used. Hemoglobin (HB), hematocrit (HTC), platelets (PLAT), prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and volume of blood drained observed 24 hours after arthroplasty were compared to the values of tests found before surgery.Results: There was a decrease in the concentration of HB, HTC and PLAT in all groups in relation to the preoperative, however without significant difference. Group 3 had a lower mean volume of drained blood than the other groups, with statistical significance. No adverse effects or thromboembolic events were observed in the groups that received TXA.Conclusion: This study showed superiority in the use of intravenous TXA in decreasing the volume of bleeding, without increasing the risk of thromboembolic events. Level of Evidence I, High quality randomized trial with statistically significant difference or no statistically significant difference but narrow confidence intervals.

Effectiveness and safety of an optimized blood management program in total hip and knee arthroplasty: A large, single-center, retrospective study.

Little has been published on blood management in total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA, respectively) patients focusing on both hematopoiesis and hemostasis. Our aim was to explore the effectiveness and safety of an optimized blood management program in THA and TKA patients in a large, single-center, retrospective study.We retrospectively reviewed consecutive primary unilateral THA and TKA patients’ data at our institution through the National Health Database. They were divided into 3 groups according to an optimized blood management program: group A—combined use of intravenous and topical tranexamic acid (TXA); group B—use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) and iron supplements in addition to treatments in group A; group C—use of additional multiple boluses of TXA in addition to treatments in group B. The primary outcomes were hemoglobin (Hb) drop and calculated total blood loss (TBL). Other outcome measurements such as transfusion rate, postoperative length of stay (PLOS), venous thromboembolism (VTE), and mortality were also compared.From 2014 to 2016, a total of 1907 unilateral THA (986 in group A, 745 in group B, and 176 in group C) and 1505 unilateral TKA (795 in group A, 556 in group B, and 154 in group C) procedures were conducted at our institution. The Hb drop, calculated TBL, and PLOS in group C were significantly lower than those in groups A and B for THA and TKA patients. The transfusion rate in group C was also significantly less than in groups A and B for THA patients, while it was similar in groups A and B for TKA patients. No patients in group C received a transfusion. A significant difference was not detected in the incidence of deep vein thrombosis. No episode of symptomatic pulmonary embolism or all-cause mortality occurred within 30 days postoperatively.The current retrospective study suggests that for patients receiving primary unilateral THA or TKA, multiple boluses of intravenous TXA combined with topical TXA, rHuEPO, and iron supplements can reduce the calculated TBL, Hb drop, transfusion rate, and PLOS without increasing the incidence of VTE or mortality.

Combined intravenous, topical and oral tranexamic acid administration in total knee replacement: Evaluation of safety in patients with previous thromboembolism and effect on hemoglobin level and transfusion rate

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to investigate the safety of combined intravenous, oral and topical tranexamic acid (TXA) in primary total knee replacement. We assessed dose-related efficacy on hemoglobin level, transfusion, length of stay and thromboembolic complications. In addition, TXA safety in patients with previous history of thromboembolism >12months ago was monitored specifically. MethodsFrom January 2013 until January 2016, 922 patients were included who received TXA after primary total knee replacement. Patients without TXA administration or with thromboembolic events <12months ago were excluded. TXA dosage groups were divided into ≤10mg/kg, >10–25mg/kg and >25–50mg/kg. ResultsBetween the three TXA groups no significant difference was found in thromboembolic complications (deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)), wound leakage and transfusion rate. For patients with DVT or PE in their history >12months ago specifically, no more complications were noted in higher-TXA-dosage groups compared to the low-dosage group. Length of stay was shorter in the highest-TXA-dosage group compared with lower-dosage groups (median two vs three days). With high TXA dose a smaller difference between pre- and postoperative Hb was found: the >25–50mg/kg TXA group had a 0.419mmol/l smaller decrease in postoperative hemoglobin compared to the lowest-dosage group (P<0.05). ConclusionCombined intravenous, oral and topical TXA is effective in knee replacement and can safely be given to patients with a thromboembolic history >12months ago. High dosage (>25–50mg/kg) TXA resulted in the smallest decrease in postoperative hemoglobin.

Topical Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients with Increased Thromboembolic Risk.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with comorbid conditions precluding them from intravenous (IV) TXA use. A total of 104 patients were divided into two groups: 47 in the normal-risk group and 57 in the high-risk group, with the latter representing those with one or more risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Demographics were similar between groups, and there were no differences with regard to postoperative changes in hemoglobin (- 3.42 g/dL ± 1.07 and - 3.68 g/dL ± 1.07, p = 0.214), total drain output (630.2 mL ± 331.6 and 566.9 mL ± 343.9, p = 0.344), postoperative transfusion rate (2.1 and 3.5%, p = 0.675), or total number of complications 3 (6.5%) and 5 (8.8%) for the normal- and high-risk groups, respectively (p = 0.671). Topical TXA exhibited a similar safety and efficacy profile in reducing postoperative blood loss in a group of patients at increased thromboembolic risk, without a significant increase in complications or thromboembolic events. Topical TXA appears to represent a safe and efficacious alternative to IV TXA in patients at high risk for VTE undergoing TKA.

Comparison of Topical and Intravenous Tranexamic Acid on Blood Loss and Transfusion Rates in Total Hip Arthroplasty

The objective of this study was to determine whether topical tranexamic acid (TXA) carried similar hemostatic effect compared with intravenous TXA in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Three hundred and three THA patients were enrolled and randomized into 3 groups: no TXA group, topical and intravenous TXA group. The results showed that the topical and intravenous TXA group had reduced but similar blood transfusion rates (5.88% v. s. 5.94%, P=0.816). No significant difference was detected in total blood loss between the two TXA groups [(963.4±421.3) ml vs. (958.5±422) ml P=0.733]. We conclude that topical use of TXA was equally effective and safe compared with intravenous TXA in reducing blood loss and transfusion rate following THA without substantial complications.

Topical versus intravenous tranexamic acid as a blood conservation intervention for reduction of post-operative bleeding in hemiarthroplasty.

Background:This study was performed to test the effectiveness of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing blood loss in pelvic hemiarthoplasty surgeries compared with intravenous TXA, regarding the incidence of thromboembolic complications (deep vein thrombosis [DVT], pulmonary embolism (PE) and cerebrovascular stroke [CVS]).Patients and Methods:After obtaining institutional ethical approval 60 patients divided into three groups. Group A: Received intravenous TXA Group B: Received topical TXA Group C: Control group (placebo saline). All patients were received general anesthesia and post-operative bleeding, immediate and 24 h post-operatively, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, platelets and coagulation profile (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio) baseline, immediate and 24 h post-operatively. Thromboelastography was recorded baseline, immediate and 24 h post-operatively. Incidence of DVT, PE and CVS was recorded.Results:There was statistical significant elevation hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit in both Groups A and B, significant increase in blood loss in Group C, significant increase in number of patients receiving blood in Group C, there was a significant decrease in “r” and “k” times and a significant increase in maximum amplitude and α-angle in Group A, statistically significant increase in the incidence of thromboembolic events in the form of DVT, PE and CVS in Group A.Conclusion:Topical TXA is effective in decreasing post-operative blood loss with possible side-effects of this route of administration.