The antifibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory effects of a high initial-dose tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a high initial-dose (60 mg/kg) intravenous tranexamic acid (IV-TXA) on fibrinolysis and inflammation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods A total of 132 patients were categorized into two groups based on different TXA regimens: 20 mg/kg before incision (A) or 60 mg/kg before incision (B). All patients received five doses of 1 g TXA at three, six, 12, 18, and 24 hours after the first dose. The primary outcomes were peri-operative blood loss and transfusion rate. Other outcome measurements such as, haemoglobin level, fibrinolysis parameters [fibrin(-ogen) degradation products (FDP), D-dimer], inflammatory factors [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6)], visual analog scale (VAS) score, consumption of analgesic rescue, coagulation parameters [activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), platelet count, thrombelastography (TEG), and anti-factor Xa activity (AFXa)] and complications, were also compared. Results There was a favourable effect in reducing peri-operative blood loss and transfusion rate for patients in Group B, compared with patients in Group A. In addition, the levels of FDP, D-dimer, CRP, IL-6, and dynamic pain in Group B were significantly lower than those in Group A on post-operative days one, two and three. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative coagulation parameters and complications between the two groups. Conclusion A high initial-dose (60 mg/kg) IV-TXA before surgery followed by five doses can further reduce blood loss, provide additional fibrinolysis and inflammation control, and ameliorate post-operative pain following TKA, without increasing the risk of treatment-related complications.