Finding the Optimal Regimen for Oral Tranexamic Acid Administration in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Previous studies have confirmed that, compared with intravenous and intra-articular formulations, oral tranexamic acid (TXA) provides equivalent reduction in blood loss, at a substantially reduced cost and greater ease of administration. However, the optimal oral dosage regimen to achieve maximum blood-loss reduction remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a regimen of multiple doses of oral TXA on blood loss in primary total hip arthroplasty. In this randomized controlled trial, 200 patients were randomized to 1 of 4 interventions. Group A received a single dose of 2.0 g of TXA orally at 2 hours preoperatively. In addition to this same preoperative dose, Group B received 1.0 g of TXA orally at 3 hours postoperatively, Group C received 1.0 g of TXA orally at 3 and 9 hours postoperatively, and Group D received 1.0 g of TXA orally at 3, 9, and 15 hours postoperatively. All patients received a 1.0-g topical dose of TXA. The primary outcome was total blood loss. Secondary outcomes included hemoglobin reduction, transfusion rate, thromboembolic complications, and adverse events. The mean total blood loss (and standard deviation) was significantly less in Groups B, C, and D (792.2 ± 293.0, 630.8 ± 229.9, and 553.0 ± 186.1 mL, respectively) than in Group A (983.6 ± 286.7 mL) (p < 0.001). Moreover, Groups C and D had a lower mean reduction in hemoglobin than did Groups A and B. However, no differences were identified between Groups C and D for blood loss and hemoglobin reduction. Additionally, no differences were observed among the groups regarding thromboembolic complications and transfusions. The multiple postoperative doses of oral TXA further reduced blood loss compared with a single preoperative bolus. The regimen of a preoperative dose and 3 postoperative doses of oral TXA produced maximum effective reduction of blood loss in total hip arthroplasty. Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.