The use of tranexamic acid to reduce blood loss during total hip arthroplasty: an observational study

Introduction: To test the hypothesis that the fall in haemoglobin following total hip arthroplasty is reduced by tranexamic acid administration. Patients and Methods: A cohort of 64 patients were studied, 32 received tranexamic acid 20 mg/kg on induction. Surgery was performed by the senior author in a standardised fashion. Haemoglobin levels were measured 2 weeks pre- and 3 days postoperatively. Any complications were noted. The study group was matched using the bone and joint research database for age, sex, procedure, disease and pre-operative haemoglobin level. Results: In the group receiving no tranexamic acid, the mean fall in haernoglobin was 3.8 g/dI (Cl of mean 3.4-4.3) and in the group treated with tranexamic acid 2.8 g/dI (CI of mean 2.5-3.2) P < 0.05. Complications included one non-fatal pulmonary embolus in the tranexamic acid group. Conclusions: The administration of 20 mg/kg of tranexamic acid on induction of surgery is an effective method of reducing the haernoglobin fall following hip arthroplasty.