Tranexamic acid as a local hemostasis method after dental extraction in patients on warfarin: A randomized controlled clinical study

Abstract

Objectives The present work is a controlled, blinded, and randomized clinical trial comparing hemostatic measures for the control of post-tooth extraction hemorrhage in patients on anticoagulation therapy with warfarin. Materials and methods The sample consisted of 37 patients (37.8% male and 62.2% female) with a mean age of 45.5 years. After randomization, 20 patients were allocated to the control group (conventional hemostasis measures) and 17 to the study group (addition of local tranexamic acid). All variables that could influence the outcome were similar between the groups and no significant difference was seen (p >0.05). Results In the assessment of immediate hemostasis, for the control group, the time to achieve cessation of bleeding was 9.1 (± 3.6) minutes. For the study group this was much lower, and this difference (6.018 / confidence interval of 95%, 4.677 to 7.359) was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In evaluating the control of intermediate hemorrhage, the use of tranexamic acid was more significantly associated with the absence of bleeding, especially in the first 24 h. Conclusions and clinical relevance Thus, this measure of local hemostasis in topical form with gauze compression and irrigation was shown to be more effective in reducing the time to attain immediate hemostasis, and in preventing intermediate hemorrhage.