Efficacy of Intravenous Versus Topical Tranexamic Acid in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2016-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Bleeding during and after total hip replacement surgery is a primary concern to the surgical
and anaesthetic team. Tranexamic acid is a commonly-used drug that helps blood clotting and
decreases surgical bleeding. The investigators commonly administer the drug intravenously
prior to the procedure. Some patients are unable to receive the drug in this form, because of
risks related to blood clotting. The investigators know, from studies in total knee
replacement surgery, that the investigators can deliver tranexamic acid directly to the
surgical site (topically), with similar benefits and less of the drug absorbed into the
bloodstream, resulting in less risk to the patient. The investigators seek to find if similar
benefit in terms of reducing blood loss is seen using topical tranexamic acid in hip
replacement surgery. The investigators' hypothesis is that the topical form will be
equivalent, but not better than the intravenous form for reducing intra- and postoperative
bleeding. The investigators also expect to see decreased levels of tranexamic acid in the
bloodstream when it is administered topically.