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A rationale for universal tranexamic acid in major joint arthroplasty: overall efficacy and impact of risk factors for transfusion
Author(s) -
Pavenski Katerina,
Ward Sarah E.,
Hare Gregory M.T.,
Freedman John,
Pulendrarajah Robisa,
Pirani Razak A.,
Sheppard Nicholas,
Vance Colm,
White Alexander,
Lo Nick,
Waddell James P.,
Ho Alex,
Schemitsch Emil H.,
Kataoka Mark,
Bogoch Earl R.,
Saini Kiran,
David Mazer C.,
Baker James E.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.14995
Subject(s) - medicine , tranexamic acid , perioperative , deep vein , adverse effect , pulmonary embolism , blood transfusion , acute kidney injury , anemia , thrombosis , body mass index , logistic regression , retrospective cohort study , surgery , anesthesia , blood loss
BACKGROUND Tranexamic acid (TXA) therapy is effective in reducing postoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in total joint arthroplasty (TJA), yet uncertainty persists regarding comparative efficacy and safety among specific patient subgroups. We assessed the impact of a universal TXA protocol on RBC transfusion, postoperative hemoglobin (Hb), and adverse outcomes to determine whether TXA is safe and effective in TJA, both overall and in clinically relevant subgroups. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A retrospective observational study was performed on patients undergoing TJA at our institution spanning 1 year before and after the implementation of a universal protocol to administer intravenous (IV) TXA. The primary outcome was percentage of patients transfused, and secondary outcomes were perioperative Hb and occurrence of adverse events (death, myocardial infarction, stroke, seizure, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and acute kidney injury ). Outcomes were compared in pre‐ and post‐protocol groups with χ 2 analysis. Logistic regression compared risk of transfusion in pre‐ and post‐protocol subgroups of patients with differing risk for transfusion (anemia, body mass index [BMI], and sex). RESULTS No differences were found in baseline patient characteristics across pre‐ and post‐protocol groups (n = 1084 and 912, respectively). TXA use increased from 32.3% to 92.2% while transfusion rates decreased from 10.3% to 4.8% (p < 0.001). Postoperative Day 3 Hb increased from 95.8 to 101.4 g/L (p < 0.001). Logistic regression demonstrated reduced transfusion in post‐protocol subgroups regardless of sex, anemia, or BMI (p < 0.001). No increase in adverse events was observed (p = 0.8451). CONCLUSIONS Universal TXA was associated with a reduction of RBC transfusion, overall and in clinically relevant subgroups, strengthening the rationale for universal therapy.