Tranexamic acid lowers transfusions and readmissions in high-risk total knee arthroplasty patients, but neurologic risks remain in patients with seizures or visual disturbances
Joshua R. Porto, Monish S. Lavu, Christian J. Hecht II, Olivia G. Asimakis, David C. Kaelber, Atul F. Kamath
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to reduce perioperative blood loss and transfusions. However, its safety in high-risk patients remains uncertain. This study evaluates TXA's safety and efficacy in TKA patients with a history of (1) thromboembolic events, (2) renal failure, (3) atrial fibrillation, (4) seizures and (5) visual disturbances.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of the US Collaborative Network within TriNetX examined TKA patients from 2017 to 2023 (n = 59,057). High-risk patients were categorised by preexisting risk factors and propensity-score matched into TXA and non-TXA groups. Postoperative outcomes, including thromboembolic events, transfusions, renal failure, seizures, visual disturbances, infections, revisions, readmissions and mortality, were compared using odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results
TXA was associated with lower transfusion rates, revisions, readmissions and emergency visits across multiple risk groups. No increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or (PE) was observed in patients with prior thrombosis, renal failure, or atrial fibrillation, though ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) was higher in those with prior thrombosis (5.6% vs. 3.9%, OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.24–1.68). Patients with seizures had higher rates of postoperative seizures (10.4% vs. 7.1%, OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.18–1.99) and pulmonary embolism (1.9% vs. 1.0%, OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.06–3.85). In those with visual disturbances, TXA was linked to increased postoperative seizures (0.9% vs. 0.4%, OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.21–3.19) and visual disturbances (4.2% vs. 3.3%, OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.07–1.57).
Conclusions
TXA reduced transfusions, readmissions and revisions in high-risk TKA patients without increasing DVT or PE risk, though there was a modest increase in stroke/TIA for patients with prior thromboembolism. However, higher postoperative neurologic complications in patients with seizures or visual disturbances warrant further investigation. While TXA can provide benefits across several outcomes, discretion is advised in patients with neurological risk factors to optimise safety.
期刊介绍:
Few other areas of orthopedic surgery and traumatology have undergone such a dramatic evolution in the last 10 years as knee surgery, arthroscopy and sports traumatology. Ranked among the top 33% of journals in both Orthopedics and Sports Sciences, the goal of this European journal is to publish papers about innovative knee surgery, sports trauma surgery and arthroscopy. Each issue features a series of peer-reviewed articles that deal with diagnosis and management and with basic research. Each issue also contains at least one review article about an important clinical problem. Case presentations or short notes about technical innovations are also accepted for publication.
The articles cover all aspects of knee surgery and all types of sports trauma; in addition, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and all types of arthroscopy (not only the knee but also the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, etc.) are addressed. Articles on new diagnostic techniques such as MRI and ultrasound and high-quality articles about the biomechanics of joints, muscles and tendons are included. Although this is largely a clinical journal, it is also open to basic research with clinical relevance.
Because the journal is supported by a distinguished European Editorial Board, assisted by an international Advisory Board, you can be assured that the journal maintains the highest standards.
Official Clinical Journal of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA).