Using Aminocaproic Acid to Reduce Blood Loss After Primary Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty.

xtensive blood loss after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is common, and affected patients often require blood transfusions. Studies suggest that antifibrinolytic agents such as aminocaproic acid (ACA) reduce blood loss and blood transfusion rates in patients undergoing TKA. We conducted a study to evaluate whether a single intravenous 10-g dose of ACA given during primary unilateral TKA would decrease perioperative blood loss, raise postoperative hemoglobin levels, and reduce postoperative blood transfusion rates. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 50 comparable cemented primary unilateral TKAs. Twenty-five patients had been given a single intraoperative 10-g dose of ACA (antifibrinolytic group), and the other 25 had not been given ACA (control group). Postoperative drain output was decreased significantly (P < .0001) in the antifibrinolytic group (155 mL) compared with the control group (410 mL), as was the number of units of blood transfused after surgery (antifibrinolytic group, 0 units; control group, 10 units; P < .002). There were no adverse events in the antifibrinolytic group. In TKA, perioperative blood loss and blood transfusion rates were reduced significantly in patients given a single intraoperative intravenous 10-g dose of ACA compared with patients not given antifibrinolytics. The positive effects of ACA were obtained without adverse events or complications.

Comparison of ε-Aminocaproic Acid and Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Postoperative Transfusions in Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Use of antifibrinolytic agents in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is well supported; however, most studies used tranexamic acid (TXA), whereas few used ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA), a similar antifibrinolytic. This study compares the efficacy and cost per surgery of intraoperative infusion of EACA and TXA in reducing postoperative blood transfusion rates in THA. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 1799 primary unilateral THA cases from April 2012 through December 2014 at 5 hospitals within our health care network. RESULTS: In our cohort, 711 received EACA, 445 received TXA, and 643 (control group) received no antifibrinolytic. Both antifibrinolytic groups had significantly fewer patients receiving red blood cell (RBC) transfusions when compared with control group (EACA 6.8% [P < .0001], TXA 9.7% [P < .0001] vs control group 24.7%). Average number of RBC units per patient were similar for EACA and TXA (0.11 units/patient and 0.15 units/patient, respectively), and both were significantly lower than the control group (0.48 units/patient, P < .0001). No significant difference was noted in mean RBC units per patient and percentage of patients transfused between EACA and TXA groups (P = .144, P = .074). Logistic regression showed no difference between EACA and TXA when adjusting for age, gender, higher severity of illness levels, admission hemoglobin, performing surgeon, and hospital. Medication acquisition cost for EACA averaged $2.70 per surgery compared with TXA at $39.58 per surgery. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative antifibrinolytic use significantly decreases need for postoperative blood transfusions. At our institution, EACA is comparable to TXA in THA for reducing transfusion rates while at a lower cost per surgery.