The combined intrarticular/intravenous administration of tranexamic acid in cemented total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Total knee and hip arthroplasty is the commonest reason for transfusion in patients undergoing elective surgery and accounts for 9.8% of all transfused red blood cell units. However, Blood transfusions are associated with increased risks of immunological reactions, transmission of diseases and infections. In recent years pharmacological agents become more popular in management of perioperative and postoperative bleeding. Tranexamic acid (TXA), a synthetic analogue of the amino acid lysine, is a fibrinolysis inhibitor which acts by blocking the lysine binding site of plasminogen that induces blood loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined intravenous and intra-articular administration of TXA in regard to postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements following TKA.