New use for old drug to reduce blood loss during total joints

Editor's Note

An old drug, tranexamic acid (TXA), which has been used in heart surgery, to treat hemophilia, and to stop excessive uterine bleeding is now being used to reduce the need for blood transfusions during total joint replacements.

Researchers from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City retrospectively analyzed 4,449 patients who had hip or knee replacement during a 6-month period—720 who received TXA topically, 636 who received TXA intravenously, and 3,093 who received no TXA.

Results showed 9.7% of patients who received TXA had a blood transfusion, compared to 22.1% of those who did not receive TXA.

The findings were presented March 1 at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Add to Favorites Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Citations annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Newswise - Blood loss and the need for a blood transfusion are major concerns in joint replacement surgery, but a new use for an old drug is proving effective in reducing blood loss and transfusion rates, according to a study at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS).