title: The routine use of tranexamic acid in hip and knee replacements.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to determine whether the administration of intravenous tranexamic acid is a safe and effective means of reducing blood loss associated with hip and knee replacement surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sequential cohort study analysing hemoglobin titers, transfusion rates, and the occurrence of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing hip and knee replacements with and without the administration of tranexamic acid at the time of induction. Finally, a cost benefit analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and seventy-three patients were included in our study. We demonstrated that 1 gram of tranexamic acid administered intravenously at the time of induction significantly reduces operative blood loss and transfusion rates (p < 0.05). Moreover, the use of tranexamic acid reduces the costs associated with surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of 1 gram of intravenous tranexamic acid is a safe and effective means of reducing operative blood loss and blood transfusion rates in patients undergoing hip and knee replacements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals, Wexham, Slough, Berkshire, United Kingdom. jaykarpanchmatia@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jaykar R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Panchmatia
authors.forename: Soudeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chegini
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lobban
authors.forename: Guarangkumar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.forename: Jayne M B
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Smallman
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kucheria
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014148:Tranexamic Acid