Prophylactic tranexamic acid among women undergoing vaginal delivery to reduce postpartum blood loss and related morbidities: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that inspected the efficacy and safety of prophylactic TXA compared with control (placebo/no treatment) among women undergoing vaginal delivery on reducing postpartum blood loss and related morbidities. Methods: Six databases were screened from inception until 06-December-2021. The pooled data were summarized as mean difference or risk ratio, respectively, with 95% confidence interval in a fixed- or random-effects model. Results: Sixteen studies comprising 17 RCT treatment arms were included. There were 7122 patients; 3611 and 3511 patients were allocated to prophylactic TXA and control groups, respectively. Overall, the included RCTs had a low risk of bias. Prophylactic TXA correlated with a significant decrease in mean postpartum blood loss and mean change in hemoglobin/hematocrit. Moreover, prophylactic TXA was linked to decreased incidence rates of postpartum hemorrhage, need for blood transfusion, and need for additional uterotonic agents. Nevertheless, prophylactic TXA culminated in significantly higher incidence rates of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, all of which were well-tolerated. There was no increased risk of thromboembolic events. Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of efficacy endpoints. There was no publication bias for the endpoint of mean postpartum blood loss. Conclusion: Among patients undergoing vaginal delivery, prophylactic TXA during active management of third stage of labor (AMTSL) appeared largely safe and correlated with a significant decrease in postpartum blood loss and related morbidities compared with control intervention. Prophylactic TXA should be integrated as a formal component of AMTSL among women undergoing vaginal delivery. (c) 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy and safety of prophylactic TXA in reducing postpartum blood loss and related morbidities in women undergoing vaginal delivery. The results showed that prophylactic TXA was associated with a significant decrease in postpartum blood loss and related complications, but it increased the risk of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Overall, prophylactic TXA was found to be safe and should be integrated into the active management of the third stage of labor in vaginal delivery.