Tranexamic Acid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Tranexamic Acid - Essay Example The researchers indicate that tranexamic acid is an effective antifibrinolytic agent. Tranexamic acid competes with lysine for the binding sites on the plasminogen molecules. Thus, it effectively inhibits the formation of plasmin. The binding of tranexamic acid on lysine binding sites located on plasminogen molecules is reversible. Other studies have shown that a good number of orthopedics use tranexamic acid because of its safety, efficacy and affordability. The researchers conducted a double blind study involving 40 patients who had to undergo a unilateral TNR for osteoarthritis. The study occurred in a tertiary health care facility after obtaining approval from the hospital’s ethics committee. The procedure was conducted by three experienced orthopedic surgeons. The study aimed at determining whether tranexamic acid significantly reduces post operative blood loss and the need for blood transfusion in Indian patients undergoing TKR. One half of the group was given 10mg/kg of tranexamic acid prior to the surgery. The placebo group was given normal saline without tranexamic acid. The study found out that tranexamic acid significantly reduces post operative blood loss and the need for blood transfusions in patients undergoing TKR. However, the study lacked sufficient clinical evidence and literature to support the findings. The usefulness of the study to my research is that it illustrated the significance of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss during surgical procedures. Furthermore, same results were posted in the study carried out by Dunn and Goa. The researchers’ study methodology relied on meta-analysis of previous studies. One study reported that the need for transfusion was reduced by 60% in patients administered with aprotinin (1005). On the other hand, the study indicated that administration of tranexamic acid reduced the need for transfusion by 43% (1005). In order to validate this information, the researchers conducted a meta-analysis of previous studies. The researchers utilized literatures that have been in the journals since 1966. The researchers used Adibase to locate literatures. In addition, the researchers found references from the list of published journals resourceful. The study endeavored to explore the use of tranexamic acid in surgery and other indications in order to recommend its usefulness and effects associated with its use. The researchers revealed that tranexamic acid can be used in various hemorrhagic conditions. They reported the acid can significantly reduce post operative blood lose and the need for blood transfusion. They noted that the acid is affordable and tolerable when compared to aprotinin. In addition, the researchers found out that tranexamic acid reduces mortality and urgent surgery in patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The acid can also be use as an alternative to surgery in menorrhagia, reduces menstrual blood loss and, has been effectively used in reducing bleeding during child birth. The research seems to have been limited to literature that could be accessed via the search engine. The researchers also concentrated on past literature in evaluating their objective.