Does perioperative use of tranexamic acid in hip fracture patients increase the risk of venous thromboembolism and reduce the need for postoperative transfusions?. Issue 12 (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Geddes, James; McConaghie, Greg
• Is Part Of: Journal of perioperative practice. Volume 30:Issue 12(2020)
• Page Start: 378
• Page End: 382
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Tranexamic acid / Hip fractures / Fractured neck of femur / Blood transfusion / Venous thromboembolism; Operating room nursing -- Periodicals; 617.9192
• DOI: 10.1177/1750458920905772
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2515-7949

Abstract

Perioperative tranexamic acid use is a popular choice among many surgeons for reducing surgical blood loss and its sequelae. While there is evidence in the literature that tranexamic acid use is effective in reducing blood loss in surgery for patients with hip fractures, there is less information on whether it leads to thromboembolic complications. We undertook a retrospective study in patients with hip fractures at two local hospitals to investigate if there was an increased risk of venous thromboembolism in patients who received tranexamic acid, and whether it reduced perioperative blood loss and the need for transfusion. We found that tranexamic acid used in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery reduced the drop in postoperative haemoglobin and the need for postoperative blood transfusion but was not associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism.