title: Tranexamic acid reduces bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass when compared to epsilon aminocaproic acid and placebo.
abstract: Perioperative bleeding following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with increased blood product usage. Although aprotonin is effective in reducing perioperative blood loss, excessive cost prohibits routine utilization. Epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (TA) are inexpensive antifibrinolytic agents, which, when given prophylactically, may reduce blood loss. The present study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of TA and EACA in reducing perioperative blood loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of first-time CABG patients. Patients were allocated in a prospective double-blind fashion: (1) group EACA (loading dose 15 mg/kg, continuous infusion 10 mg/kg per hour for 6 hours, N = 20); (2) group TA (loading dose 15 mg/kg, continuous infusion 1 mg/kg per hour for 6 hours, N = 20); (3) control group (infusion of normal saline for 6 hours, N = 19).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment groups were similar preoperatively. No significant difference in intraoperative blood loss or perioperative use of blood products was noted. D-dimer concentration was elevated in the control group compared to the EACA and TA groups (p < 0.05). Group TA had less postoperative blood loss than the EACA and control groups at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively (p < 0.05). TA had reduced total blood loss (600 +/- 49 mL) postoperatively compared to EACA (961 +/- 148 mL) and control (1060 +/- 127 mL, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TA and EACA effectively inhibited fibrinolytic activity intraoperatively and throughout the first 24 hours postoperatively. TA was more effective in reducing blood loss postoperatively following CABG. This suggests that TA may be beneficial as an effective and inexpensive antifibrinolytic in first-time CABG patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2207, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pinosky
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Alpert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ecklund
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kribbs
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Spinale
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kratz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Gravlee
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Dorman
mesh_terms: D015119:Aminocaproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001810:Blood Volume; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D014148:Tranexamic Acid; D015119:Aminocaproic Acid