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Intra-articular tranexamic acid benefitted TKA patients without increased risk of DVT, PE
Among patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty, intra-articular tranexamic acid significantly reduced total blood loss, drainage, reduction of hemoglobin and the need for transfusion without increasing the incidence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, making it safe and efficacious, according to study results.
Through a search of various databases for relevant randomized, controlled trials, researchers included seven studies comprising 622 patients. The researchers calculated mean difference in total blood loss, risk ratio for transfusion and complication rate in the tranexamic acid-treated group vs. the placebo group.
Although study results showed a positive effect of tranexamic acid in all treatment groups, with significant reduction in total blood loss, there was significant heterogeneity in the finding among the studies, according to the researchers.
The researchers found 5.8% of patients treated with tranexamic acid required transfusion compared with 27.2% of patients treated with placebo. However, there was no significant difference between the groups when it came to the incidence of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.