• G Armellin, S Casella, S Guzzinati, L Pasini, A Marcassa, and G Giron.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care and Venetian Tumour Registry, Padua School of Medicine, Padua, Italy.
• J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. 2001 Jun 1;15(3):331-5.

ObjectiveTo assess the relative efficacy of tranexamic acid compared with a control group to decrease bleeding and transfusion requirements in a uniform population undergoing aortic valve replacement.DesignProspective, randomized, double-blind study.SettingsUniversity hospital.ParticipantsAdult cardiac surgery patients (n = 300).InterventionsPatients were randomized into 2 groups to receive either a total of 5 g of tranexamic acid or a saline solution. Bleeding in the postoperative period, transfusions of bank blood products, coagulation profile, intensive care unit stay, and hospital length of stay were recorded.Measurements And Main ResultsPostoperative bleeding in patients treated with tranexamic acid was significantly lower compared with the control group (p < 0.0001). Packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma usage were reduced in the tranexamic acid group compared with the control group (p = 0.0095 and p < 0.0001). Only 24.5% of tranexamic acid patients received blood products versus 45% of control patients (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in hematologic and coagulation profiles after the operation between the groups.ConclusionsTranexamic acid reduces postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in elective aortic valve replacement.Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.

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