Do we really need tranexamic acid in total hip arthroplasty? A meta-analysis of nineteen randomized controlled trials

Background

Studies have shown that tranexamic acid reduces blood loss and transfusion need in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. However, no to date, no study has been large enough to determine definitively whether the drug is safe and effective. We examined whether intravenous tranexamic acid, when compared with placebo, was safe and effective in total hip arthroplasty.

Methods

The literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Data were evaluated using the generic evaluation tool designed by the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group. Ultimately, 19 randomized controlled trials involving 1,030 patients were included.

Results

The use of tranexamic acid significantly reduced total blood loss by a mean of 305.27 mL [95 % confidence interval (CI) ?397.66 to ?212.89, p < 0.001], intraoperative blood loss by a mean of 86.33 mL(95 % CI ?152.29 to ?20.37, p = 0.01), postoperative blood loss by a mean of 176.79 mL (95 % CI ?236.78 to ?116.39, p < 0.001), and “hidden” blood loss by a mean of 152.70 mL (95 % CI ?187.98 to ?117.42, p < 0.001), resulting in a meaningful reduction in the proportion of patients requiring blood transfusion (odds ratio 0.28, 95 % CI 0.19 to 0.42, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in occurrence of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or other complications among the study groups, or cost or hospitalization duration.

Conclusions

The data from this meta-analysis indicate that intravenous tranexamic acid may reduce blood loss and transfusion need in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty without increasing the risk of complications. However, high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to validate the results.     

Is tranexamic acid effective and safe in spinal surgery? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Purpose

The present meta-analysis aimed at assessing the effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing blood loss and transfusion in spinal surgery.

Methods

Systematic searches of all studies published through March 2012 were identified from PubMed, EMBase, Cochrane library, Science Direct, and other databases. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the present study. Two independent reviewers searched and assessed the literature. Mean difference (MD) of blood loss and blood transfusions, risk ratios (RR) of transfusion rate and of deep vein thrombosis rate in the TXA-treated group versus placebo group were pooled throughout the study. The meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.1 software.

Results

Six placebo-controlled RCTs encompassing 411 patients met the inclusion criteria for our meta-analysis. The use of TXA significantly reduced both total blood loss [MD = −285.35, 95 % CI (−507.03 to −63.67), P = 0.01] as well as the number of patients requiring blood transfusion [RR = 0.71, 95 % CI (0.54–0.92), P = 0.01]. None of the patients in the treatment group had deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism.

Conclusions

Intravenous use of TXA for patients undergoing spinal surgery is effective and safe. It reduces total blood loss and the need for blood transfusion, particularly in the using of high dosage of TXA (≥15 mg/kg), yet does not increase the risk of postoperative DVT. Due to the limitation of the quality of the evidence currently available, high-quality RCTs are required.     

Metabolic effects of testosterone replacement therapy on hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes mellitus： a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

This systematic review was aimed at assessing the metabolic effects of testosterone replacement therapy （TRT） on hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）. A literature search was performed using the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and PubMed. Only randomized controlled trials （RCTs） were included in the meta-analysis. Two reviewers retrieved articles and evaluated the study quality using an appropriate scoring method. Outcomes including glucose metabolism, lipid parameters, body fat and blood pressure were pooled using a random effects model and tested for heterogeneity. We used the Cochrane Collaboration＇s Review Manager 5.2 software for statistical analysis. Five RCTs including 351 participants with a mean follow-up time of 6.5months were identified that strictly met our eligibility criteria. A meta-analysis of the extractable data showed that testosterone reduced fasting plasma glucose levels （mean difference （MD）. -1.10; 95% confidence interval （CI） （-1.88, -0.31））, fasting serum insulin levels （MD： -2.73; 95% CI （-3.62, -1.84））, HbAlc % （MD.. -0.87; 95% CI （-1.32, -0.42）） and triglyceride levels （MD： -0.35; 95% CI （-0.62, -0.07））. The testosterone and control groups demonstrated no significant difference for other outcomes. In conclusion, we found that TRT can improve glycemic control and decrease triglyceride levels of hypogonadal men with T2DM. Considering the limited number of participants and the confounding factors in our systematic review; additional large, well-designed RCTs are needed to address the metabolic effects of TRT and its long-term influence on hypogonadal men with T2DM.     

Use of intravenous tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective:The effect of tranexamic acid (TA) on patients receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been reported in many small clinical trials.But single trials are not sufficient enough to clarify t...     

Comment on “Efficacy of a single intra-articular injection of ultra-high molecular weight hyaluronic acid for hip osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled study”

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology -     

The effect of exercise on pQCT parameters of bone structure and strength in postmenopausal women—a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Summary  

Inconsistent study findings of exercise on areal bone density highlight the need to include parameters of bone geometry and volumetric bone density measurements. Using a systematic review and meta-analysis, we found a decrease in bone loss through the maintenance of cortical and trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (BMD). Studies with longer exercise durations and larger sample sizes are needed.