Administering tranexamic acid, both intravenously and through intra-articular administration, or an injection, reduced blood loss as compared to IV alone, after total knee replacement surgery, according to a study in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Researchers examined 60 patients scheduled for TKR. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either tranexamic acid through IV alone, or tranexamic acid through IV and IA. The tranexamic acid through IV was administered at the same time as anesthesia, and the tranexamic acid through IA was administered just before closing the surgical site.
Here are three things to know:
1. The patient group receiving tranexamic acid through IV and IA had a 37 percent greater reduction in blood loss at 24 hours and 48 hours post-surgery, compared to the patients who received tranexamic acid through IV alone.
2. Researchers did not observe any thromboembolic complications in any of the patients within 90 days after the surgery.
3. One patient in the IV-only group required a blood transfusion postoperatively.