A Study on use of tranexamic acid during total knee arthroplasty surgery

Abstract

Purpose: Our aim was to determine whether the administration of intravenous tranexamic acid is a safe and effective means of reducing blood loss associated with unilateral total knee replacement surgery. Method: Sequential cohort study analyzing hemoglobin titers, transfusion rates, and the occurrence of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing unilateral knee replacements with and without the administration of tranexamic acid at the time of induction. Results: One hundred patients were included in our study after the exclusion. We demonstrated that 10-15 mg/kg of tranexamic acid administered intravenously at the time of induction and two post operative doses significantly reduces operative blood loss and transfusion rates (p < 0.05). Moreover, the use of tranexamic acid reduces the costs associated with surgery.Conclusions: The administration of 10-15 mg/kg of intravenous tranexamic acid is a safe and effective means of reducing operative blood loss and blood transfusion rates in patients undergoing unilateral knee replacements.