Summary

TXA has a positive role for patients in the setting of primary total knee arthroplasty; and decreases blood loss

Abstract

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective solution to treat end-stage knee OA. The application of antifibrinolytic agent such as tranexamic acid (TXA) in TKA can significantly decrease total blood loss and transfusion requirement without increasing the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Therefore, we realized the present study to perform a preliminary evaluation of the efficacy and safety of TXA in primary TKA.
We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients with primary unilateral TKA. Patients were divided into TXA group and control group (who did not receive TXA). Outcome measures included drainage volume; hemoglobin and hematocrit levels recorded preoperatively and during the first five postoperative days; amount of blood transfusion and the presence of thrombosis.
Ninety-six (96) cases were included in the study. Demographic data, general health status, and preoperative conditions were comparable between the two groups.
However, significantly lower drainage volume (P < 0.001), blood loss (P < 0.001), and blood transfusion volume (P = 0.046) were noted in the TXA group. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly higher in the TXA group on the first postoperative day (P = 0.006), but overall the decline in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels during the first five postoperative days was similar between groups (P = 0.763), as did the incidence of VT (P = 0.794).

TXA has a positive role for patients in the setting of primary total knee arthroplasty; TXA decreases blood loss and the need for blood transfusion, which seems mainly effective on the first postoperative day of TKA