The effect of tranexamic acid on hemoglobin levels during total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative administration of 1,4-amino-carboxylic acid (tranexamic acid) in reducing the intraoperative and postoperative blood loss in patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR). Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic agent that is 7-10 times as potent as epsilon aminocaproic acid. We had investigated the effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss intraoperatively and postoperatively during and after TKR thereby significantly preventing a decrease in postop Hb in these patients. This study was a randomized, prospective, observational, double-blinded study on 99 patients, after obtaining ethical committee approval and valid informed consent from patients to be part of the study. In the study group, the drug was administered in 2 doses 1 hour preoperatively and 6 hours postoperatively. The use of tranexamic acid injection in TKR surgeries can be considered as an effective method to control and minimize the blood loss during total knee arthroplasty surgeries.