title: Low dose tranexamic acid effect on post-coronary artery bypass grafting bleeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the effects of low-dose tranexamic acid on post-coronary artery bypass surgery bleeding.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Diffuse microvascular bleeding is still a common problem after cardiac procedures. This study was designed to evaluate the hemostatic effects of low-dose tranexamic acid in on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective randomized placebo-controlled study, 150 patients who were candidates for coronary artery bypass were enrolled and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups (tranexamic acid or placebo). Total drainage volume and the need for transfusion as well as surgical complications were recorded and compared in the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significantly less mediastinal chest tube drainage up to 48 h in the tranexamic acid group (432 ± 210 mL) compared to the placebo group (649 ± 235 mL, p = 0.006). In the placebo group, 43 (58%) patients were given allogeneic blood during hospital stay compared to 22 (25%) in the tranexamic acid group (p < 0.001). No significant difference in postoperative complications was seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of low-dose tranexamic acid can significantly reduce blood loss and need for transfusion, with no increase in complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Shahr-e-kord University of Medical Sciences, Shahr-e-kord, Iran.
authors.forename: Bakhtiari Rostam
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Esfandiari
authors.forename: Mohammad Moazeni
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bistgani
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kabiri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D015505:Chest Tubes; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D014148:Tranexamic Acid
keywords: Antifibrinolytic agents; blood transfusion; coronary artery bypass; postoperative hemorrhage; tranexamic acid