Tranexamic acid has long been used to quell excessive uterine bleeding and to treat hemophilia in heart surgery patients, but a new study now champions the drugs safe and effective use in regards to joint replacement surgery.
Mitigating blood loss and avoiding the need for a blood transfusion are among primary concerns regarding joint replacement surgery. The study conducted by researchers at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York reviewed the records of 4,449 patients who had a hip or knee replacement over a six month period. There were 720 patients who received TXA topically, 636 received it intravenously and 3,093 patients received no TXA. Approximately 22 percent of patients who were not given TXA received a blood transfusion. Less than 10 percent of patients who were treated with TXA were given a blood transfusion. There was no significant difference in blood clots between patients who received TXA topically and those who given the drug intravenously — the researchers suggest this confirms the drug's safety.
The study was presented Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
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