Oral vs. Intravenous TXA Study Proposal: TJA

Purpose: Examine oral and intravenous Tranexamic Acid (TXA) to determine whether or not the different routes of drug administration are equivalent in terms of post-operative reduction in hemoglobin, number of transfusions, and post-operative blood loss following TJA surgery.

Hypothesis: Oral and intravenous TXA are equivalent routes of drug administration.

Background/Scientific review:

Total hip or knee arthroplasty is associated with the risk of moderate to significant blood loss. Techniques such as the use of antifibrinolytics or desmopressin, or normovolaemic haemodilution have been used to reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been used to reduce blood loss and transfusion requirement for total hip and knee arthroplasty, with good results. Approximately one-third of patients undergoing total joint replacement surgery require one to three units of blood postoperatively. Tranexamic acid is a synthetic antifibrinolytic agent that has been successfully used intravenously to control bleeding after total joint replacement. The use of TXA has been shown to significantly reduce the need for blood products during total joint replacement1-4.

There are only a few studies directly comparing outcomes following the use of intravenous tranexamic acid (IVTA) and oral tranexamic acid (OTA) in arthroplasty surgery. In the randomized study by Zohar et al5. OTA (n = 20) was associated with significant allogeneic blood sparing com- pared with controls (n = 20), but not when compared with short- and long-term IVTA regimens. A recent randomized trial comparing OTA (n = 26) with placebo (n = 20) reported significant reductions in blood drained at 24 hours, and in the fall of both Hb and Hct in the OTA group, without any significant difference in the requirement of transfusion6.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, single-blinded study

Treatment Groups:

1. Intravenous TXA Group - 1 gram IV bolus 10 minutes prior to incision
2. Oral TXA Group - 3 tablets (1950 mg) oral 2 hours prior to incision

Demographics/Patient Specifics: Age, Sex, ASA score, Weight, Height, Estimated intra-operative blood loss, Intra-operative fluids (crystalloid, colloid), Operative time, Hospitalization days, BMI, Pre-operative PT/INR, Pre-operative PTT, Pre-operative platelet count

Outcome Measurements:

1. Post-operative reduction in Hgb - Measure pre-operative Hgb levels and post-operative days 0, 1, 2, and 3 Hgb levels. Among the studies presented, they used different time points to determine the reduction in Hgb. They either used the post-operative 12-hour Hgb, post-operative day 4 Hgb, or the lowest Hgb during the hospitalization. Because we rarely have patients stay until post-operative day 4, we will have to make our measure off a different time period. We have patients get discharged as early as post-operative day 1, so we'll probably have to use the post-operative day 1 Hgb level. We feel a Hgb level difference of >1 g/dL is clinically significant.
2. Post-operative reduction in Hematocrit - Measure pre-operative and post-operative days 0, 1, 2, and 3 Hematocrit levels
3. Number of units transfused
4. Number of patients transfused
5. Cost comparison - Cost differences resulted from differences in the blood transfusion rate, length of hospital stay, and management of complications as well as from the cost of the TXA itself
6. Complications
7. DVT or PE
8. Return to the OR within 30 days
9. Re-admission within 30 days
10. Superficial infection
11. Deep infection
12. Periprosthetic fracture
13. Cerebrovascular accident or Transient ischemic attack
14. Dislocation

Risks/Benefits

The use of Tranexamic Acid is a standard of care used everyday in both primary and revision surgeries, this includes both oral and intravenous forms of Tranexamic Acid. TXA side effects include of nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Gastrointestinal upset could occur with Oral tranexamic acid.

The only risk involved is the potential for breach of confidentiality and/or privacy. Below is a description of the procedure for maintaining confidentiality. There is no direct benefit to the participants in this study.

Procedures for Maintaining Confidentiality

A breach of confidentiality and/or privacy is a risk of this study. To prevent this, all collected data will be stored electronically in password-protected files to protect patient identity and information. All information will be collected and reviewed by the research team only. Data will be maintained on a password-protected computer that will be accessible only to the study team. No patient identifiers will be maintained in the database.