Convulsive seizures following subdural application of fibrin sealant containing tranexamic acid in a rat model.
OBJECTIVE
Tranexamic acid (t-AMCA) has been shown to cause severe convulsions in humans and cats when applied topically to the central nervous system. We wanted to determine whether pure t-AMCA or fibrin sealant (FS) containing t-AMCA would induce similar effects when applied to the spinal cord in a rat model.


METHODS
Following low-thoracic laminectomy, the dura was incised to expose the dorsal surface of the lumbar enlargement. Rats were allocated to one of the following treatments: 1) t-AMCA (10 mg/ml), 2) vehicle (phosphate buffered saline), 3) FS containing t-AMCA, 4) FS containing aprotinin. The response of the rats was evaluated based on neurological and behavioral observations. Additionally, motor function was scored in the rats that had received FS.


RESULTS
Application of either 10 mg/ml t-AMCA or FS containing t-AMCA caused severe hind limb spasms that developed into spontaneous generalized convulsions. Two of the three rats that had received FS containing t-AMCA died of respiratory failure. In contrast, application of vehicle or FS containing aprotinin did not cause any abnormal conditions of the animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Tranexamic acid may cause severe complications when used in the central nervous system. Thus, fibrin sealants containing t-AMCA should not be used in neurosurgery.
Schlag
M G
MG
Baxter AG, Vienna, Austria.
Hopf
R
R
Redl
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007611:Aprotinin / Q000009:adverse effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013355:Subdural Space; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology
D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D014148:Tranexamic Acid; D007611:Aprotinin