HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): John A. Rousou Richard M. Engelman Joseph E. Flack, III David W. Deaton Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rousou, J. A. Articles by Owen, S. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rousou, J. A. Articles by Owen, S. G.

Ann Thorac Surg 1995;59:671-675
© 1995 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Tranexamic Acid Significantly Reduces Blood Loss Associated With Coronary Revascularization

Division of Cardiac Surgery, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts

Accepted for publication November 17, 1994.

Four hundred fifteen patients undergoing coronary revascularization over a 12-month period were divided into two groups: 209 controls in the first 6 months received no tranexamic acid (TA) before cardiopulmonary bypass and 206 patients in the second 6 months received TA as a hemostatic agent. The demographics and the surgical techniques used were similar in the two groups. With TA there was a significant decrease in blood loss postoperatively, from 1,114.1 mL in the controls to 803.7 mL in those given TA (p < 0.001); in red blood cell use, from 1.7 units/patient in the controls to 0.69 units/patient in those given TA (p < 0.001); in fresh frozen plasma requirements, from 0.23 units/patient in the controls to 0.024 units/patient in those given TA (p < 0.01); and in platelet transfusions, from 1.06 units/patient in the controls to 0.30 units/patients in those given TA (p < 0.01). The percentages of patients not receiving any blood products were 65% in those given TA versus 49% in the controls (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, pulmonary embolism, or venous thrombosis to clearly suggest hypercoagulability. In this study, TA profoundly affected the coagulopathy associated with bypass in patients undergoing coronary revascularization. It significantly reduced blood loss and blood product transfusions. Any potential increased thrombotic complications could not be clearly demonstrated in this study, but should not be ignored.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Zabeeda, B. Medalion, M. Sverdlov, S. Ezra, A. Schachner, T. Ezri, and A. J. Cohen Tranexamic acid reduces bleeding and the need for blood transfusion in primary myocardial revascularization Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 2002; 74(3): 733 - 738. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-F. Hardy, S. Belisle, C. Dupont, F. Harel, D. Robitaille, M. Roy, and L. Gagnon Prophylactic Tranexamic Acid and {epsilon}-Aminocaproic Acid for Primary Myocardial Revascularization Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 1998; 65(2): 371 - 376. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Royston Hemostatic Drugs in Prothrombotic or Hypercoagulable States Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, November 1, 1997; 1(4): 376 - 394. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F. Rubens, P. Wells, J. A. Rousou, R. M. Engelman, J. E. Flack III, D. W. Deaton, and S. G. Owen Tranexamic Acid Use During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 1996; 61(2): 774 - 775. [Full Text]

				J. A. Magovern, T. Sakert, D. H. Benckart, J. A. Burkholder, G. A. Liebler, G. J. Magovern Sr, and G. J. Magovern Jr A Model for Predicting Transfusion After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Ann. Thorac. Surg., January 1, 1996; 61(1): 27 - 32. [Abstract] [Full Text]