Evidence review for tranexamic acid to minimise blood loss: Joint replacement (primary): hip, knee and shoulder

Excerpt

Significant blood loss may occur during joint replacement surgery. Treatments to reduce the blood loss offer advantages to patients, reducing the need for blood products, which are expensive, and reducing recovery time and improving the recovery experience. Tranexamic acid has been utilised both systemically and topically to reduce blood loss in joint replacement surgery. There is currently no agreed national standard on which method of delivery is the best. This review seeks to assess whether tranexamic acid is effective and what the most effective method of delivery is.