The Role of Tranexamic Acid in the Prevention and Management of Blood Loss in Total Joint Arthroplasty∗

Abstract

Objective To collect data on the role played by tranexamic acid in the prevention and management of blood loss in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty. Methods In the present prospective, comparative study, 30 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomly allocated into 1 of 2 groups with 15 patients each. Tranexamic acid was administered by intravenous and topical routes in the study group, but it was not administered in the control group. Preoperative blood parameters, intraoperative and postoperative blood loss, and need for blood transfusion were noted. Statistical analysis was performed using the chisquared test and the independent t-test. Results The study group had statistically significant higher postoperative hemoglobin values (p=0.03), less difference between pre and postoperative hemoglobin value (p=0.046), less difference between pre and postoperative packed-cell volume (p=0.06), less intraoperative measured blood loss (p=0.015), and less volume of blood collected in the drain (p=0.0291) compared with the control group. There was also reduced frequency of blood transfusions in the study group (p=0.0008). Conclusion Tranexamic acid is associated with reduced intra and postoperative blood loss and reduced frequency of blood transfusions in patients undergoing THA/TKA.