Weighted Versus Uniform Dose of Tranexamic Acid in Patients Undergoing Primary, Elective Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study (25 controls), TA was infused parenterally before tourniquet release in two study groups. Group 1 (n = 20) received a 1 g dose, and group 2 (n = 20) received a 20 mg/kg dose. There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2 with intra-operative, post-operative and total blood loss. Both groups 1 and 2 exhibited significant improvements in intra-operative, post-operative, and total blood loss compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Two blood transfusions were given to one patient in the weighted group, compared to 19 transfusions (10 patients) in the control group. This study suggests that a single 1-g dose can be used with the same efficacy as a weighted 20 mg/kg dose. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.