Intravenous Tranexamic Acid before and after Tourniquet Use Can Reduce Blood Loss and Blood Transfusion after Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is commonly used to reduce blood loss and blood transfusion in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, studies regarding the efficacy of intravenous TXA given during the intra-operative period are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy of intra-operative TXA regimen on reducing blood loss and blood transfusion in TKA.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

In this retrospective comparative study, 60 patients were divided into two groups. Patients in Group 1 were given 10 mg/kg intravenous TXA 10 minutes before inflation of the tourniquet and again immediately after deflation of the tourniquet. Patients in Group 2 did not receive TXA. Blood loss, blood transfusion, and complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Study findings revealed that intra-operative TXA regimen could significantly reduce drained blood (660±117.8 ml vs. 1,141.7±157.9 ml, p<0.001), decreasing hemoglobin at 12 hours (1.8±0.3 g/dL vs. 2.5±0.5 g/dL, p<0.001) and blood transfusion (26.7% vs. 80.0%, p<0.001) with no increase in procedure-associated complications.

CONCLUSION

Intra-operative TXA regimen has the efficacy on reducing blood loss and blood transfusion requirement in TKA without potential risk of complications.