Efficacy of Intravenous Versus Topical Tranexamic Acid in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

Summary

Bleeding during and after total hip replacement surgery is a primary concern to the surgical and anaesthetic team. Tranexamic acid is a commonly-used drug that helps blood clotting and decreases surgical bleeding. The investigators commonly administer the drug intravenously prior to the procedure. Some patients are unable to receive the drug in this form, because of risks related to blood clotting. The investigators know, from studies in total knee replacement surgery, that the investigators can deliver tranexamic acid directly to the surgical site (topically), with similar benefits and less of the drug absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in less risk to the patient. The investigators seek to find if similar benefit in terms of reducing blood loss is seen using topical tranexamic acid in hip replacement surgery. The investigators' hypothesis is that the topical form will be equivalent, but not better than the intravenous form for reducing intra- and postoperative bleeding. The investigators also expect to see decreased levels of tranexamic acid in the bloodstream when it is administered topically.

Timeline

Start

2014-02

Primary completion

2016-02

Completion

2016-02

Publications

• Background Ralley FE, Berta D, Binns V, Howard J, Naudie DD. One intraoperative dose of tranexamic Acid for patients having primary hip or knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010 Jul;468(7):1905-11. doi: 10.1007/s11999-009-1217-8. Epub 2010 Jan 9.
• Background Alshryda S, Mason J, Sarda P, Nargol A, Cooke N, Ahmad H, Tang S, Logishetty R, Vaghela M, McPartlin L, Hungin AP. Topical (intra-articular) tranexamic acid reduces blood loss and transfusion rates following total hip replacement: a randomized controlled trial (TRANX-H). J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013 Nov 6;95(21):1969-74. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.L.00908.
• Background Imai N, Dohmae Y, Suda K, Miyasaka D, Ito T, Endo N. Tranexamic acid for reduction of blood loss during total hip arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2012 Dec;27(10):1838-43. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2012.04.024. Epub 2012 Jun 14.
• Background Konig G, Hamlin BR, Waters JH. Topical tranexamic acid reduces blood loss and transfusion rates in total hip and total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2013 Oct;28(9):1473-6. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2013.06.011. Epub 2013 Jul 23.

Drugs

Indications