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Blood Loss Reduction After Total Knee Arthroplasty. Comparison Topical Tranexamic Acid vs Platelet Rich Plasma

Blood Loss Reduction After Total Knee Arthroplasty. A Comparison Between Topical Tranexamic Acid and Platelet Rich Plasma: Controlled Clinical Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02650856
Enrollment
40
Registered
2016-01-08
Start date
2015-09-30
Completion date
2017-03-09
Last updated
2021-05-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis

Keywords

Blood loss, Tranexamic acid, Platelet rich plasma, Total knee arthroplasty

Brief summary

The investigators will include patients who will be schedule for total knee arthroplasty with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. The patients will be divided in two groups. In both groups a verbal and clear detailed information will be given on the intraoperative approach. The first group will receive topical tranexamic acid and the second group topical platelet rich plasma; both in the surgical site. Both groups will be assessed before and after the intervention with laboratory results (hemoglobin, hematocrit levels) and drainage drain.

Detailed description

Total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is one the most common orthopedic procedure in the world. Morbidity in perioperative TKR is associated with: blood loss, pain, infection, wound complications, stiffness, and thrombotic events. Blood loss and transfusion have been associated with an increased hospital stay, costs, morbidity, and mortality. Indications for blood transfusions are now limited and it is well known that is not a free risk procedure. Complications such as; ABO incompatibility, viral transmission, hemolysis, immunosuppression, and wound infection have been reported. Literature reports have reported blood loss in TKR ranging from 300ml to 1 liter, and transfusion rate varying from 10-38%. In diminishing hospital cost Moskal J. et al. reported 53.90% of savings and a 100% reduction in working hours of the hospital staff using topical tranexamic acid in TKR. Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic agent that acts inhibiting the plasminogen, stabilizing the blood clot; it is used to stop surgical or traumatic bleeding like in the CRASH-2 trial, demonstrating its efficiency in polytraumatized patients. Tranexamic acid has been used in the last years for blood loss with good results. Due to its systemic effects and past medical history of myocardial infarction, stents, and previous thromboembolic events its intravenous use is limited. In this study, the investigators used topical tranexamic acid and its use has been proven in clinical trials as a secure strategy for blood loss reduction in TKR, without excluding patients with previous thromboembolic events. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an orthobiologic that has played an important role over the past decade in different areas like; spinal fusion, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, osteoarthritis, and tendinopathies. The use of PRP in orthopedics is overrated and true indications for its use and cost-benefit are still unclear. Retrospective studies like Pace T et al in 268 patients did not demonstrate differences in-hospital stay, Postoperative hemoglobin levels, and range of motion using PRP in TKR. Morishita M. et al. in a clinical trial of 40 patients, using intralesional PRP didn´t show any benefits for blood loss reduction in TKR, but good clinical results were observed in clinical scores like Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) compared to the control group. Other studies have demonstrated the efficacy of topical PRP in blood loss reduction in TKR. Due to its high platelet concentration and growth factors contained in the alfa granules; it is used as a hemostatic, analgesic, and antiseptic agent in TKR. There is a variety of blood loss prevention strategies for TKR and these strategies can be divided into preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative. This study aimed to compare the use of topical tranexamic acid versus topical platelet-rich plasma. An Insall knee approach, parapatellar medial will be used in all the patients. After the final cuts of the femoral, tibial and patellar and before placing the final cemented components the experimental intervention of the study will begin. Group 1. A dose of 2 gr of tranexamic acid (1000mg/10 mL X-GEN pharmaceuticals inc.) is diluted in 80 mL of physiologic solution and will be divided into two applications: First application: 40 mL of the solution previously prepared is applied over the surgical site and it will be left for five minutes then drained out completely by suction. Second application: The rest of the 40 mL of solution previously prepared is applied after placing the final TKR cemented components (femoral, tibial, and patellar), over the surgical site and leaving it there without draining it by suction. Group 2. In the preoperative room with previous premedication, a total of 55 mL of total venous blood is obtained from the forearm (cubital o basilic veins). The blood is carried on 12 sterile tubes using sodium citrate at 3.8% (BD, Vacutainer; Becton, Dickinson and Company, NJ). Blood samples are then transported to the Bone and Tissue Bank for centrifugation (1800 rpm for 10 minutes) to separate blood into the 3 layers (White, yellow and red). The superior layer rich in plasma will be collected in 50 microliters polypropylene tubes (Corning, NY). A final volume of 16 ml of platelet-rich plasma is obtained and transferred to airtight tubes (BD Vacutainer; Becton, Dickinson and Company, NJ). The manipulation of the blood samples is made on laminar flow cabin biosecurity class II (Logic 3440801; Labconco, KC). The platelet-rich plasma will be activated with calcium gluconate at 10% (Pisa Farmacéutica, Jalisco, México) before using it is placed in the surgical site topically. The PRP simple will be divided into two applications, initiating the intervention after the final cuts of the TKR components (like the tranexamic acid group). First application: 8 ml of PRP are applied over the surgical site and are left for five minutes then drained out completely by suction. Second application: The rest of the 8 ml are applied over the surgical site after placing the final TKR cemented components (femoral, tibial, and patellar), over the surgical site and leaving it without draining. Then a primary closure of the wound is performed (capsule, fascia, subcutaneous tissue, and skin) in both groups. Close drainage (Drenovac, NEdren S de R.L. de C.V.) is left intraarticular and fixed to the skin. The drainage will be clamped for 2 hours and removed at the 48 hours of the surgery. Thromboprophylaxis (low weight heparin) will be initiated after 6 hours of the end of the surgery. In the postoperative follow-up, any patient with hemoglobin levels less than 9mg/dL with the anemic syndrome will be transfused.

Interventions

DRUGGroup 1 Tranexamic Acid

2 gr of tranexamic acid will be applied on the surgical site.

BIOLOGICALGroup 2 Platelet rich plasma

16ml of platelet rich plasma will be applied of the surgical site

Sponsors

Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Age \>18 years 2. Patient candidates for primary total knee replacement 3. Patients willing to participate in the study and sign de inform consent

Exclusion criteria

1. Patients with previous history of thromboembolic event in the last 6 months 2. Patients candidates for revision total knee replacement 3. Patients candidates for tumoral total knee replacement 4. Patients candidates for bilateral total knee replacement 5. Patient with cognitive deficit 6. Previous history of coagulopathy

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Therapeutic Effect on Hemoglobin Levelup to 3rd day post operative (Baseline, 24, 48 and 72hrs)The blood test will be taken at 6am every day. Using the same laboratory parameters.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Therapeutic Effect on Hematocrit Levelup to 3rd day post operative (Baseline, 24, 48 and 72hrs)The blood test will be taken at 6am every day. Using the same laboratory parameters.
Therapeutic Effect on Drainage Quantificationup to 2nd day post operative (24 and 48 hrs)The blood quantification will be taken at 6am every day.

Countries

Mexico

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Group 1 Tranexamic Acid
A dosis of 2 gr of tranexamic acid (1000mg/10ml X-GEN pharmaceuticals inc.) diluted in 80ml of physiologic solution and will be divided in two applications. First application: 40ml of the solution previously prepared is applied over the surgical site and it will be left for five minutes then drained out completely by suction. Second application: The rest of 40ml of solution previously prepared is applied after placing the final TKR components (femoral, tibial and patellar), over the surgical site and leaving it without draining it by suction. Group 1 Tranexamic Acid: 2 gr of tranexamic acid will be applied on the surgical site.
19
Group 2 Platelet Rich Plasma
A final volumen of 16 ml of platelet rich plasma is obtained from the forearm vein of the patient and will be divided in two applications. First application: 8 ml of PRP are applied over the surgical site and are left for five minutes then drained out completely by suction. Second application: The rest of the 8 ml are applied after placing the final TKR cemented components (femoral, tibial and patellar), over the surgical site and leaving it without draining. Group 2 Platelet rich plasma: 16ml of platelet rich plasma will be applied of the surgical site
21
Total40

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicGroup 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTotalGroup 1 Tranexamic Acid
Age, Continuous63.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.9
66.3175 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.300478525
69.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.3
Body Mass Index31.5 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.4
31.215 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.033332989
30.9 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.8
Hematocrit (% red blood cells)41.4 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.2
41.495 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.094871793
41.6 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.2
Hemoglobin (g/dL)13.6 g/dL
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.5
13.6 g/dL
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.416686274
13.6 g/dL
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.4
Obesity Grade I10 Participants20 Participants10 Participants
Obesity Grade II1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Obesity Grade III2 Participants3 Participants1 Participants
Overweight8 Participants16 Participants8 Participants
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Mexico
21 participants40 participants19 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
12 Participants21 Participants9 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
9 Participants19 Participants10 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 190 / 21
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 190 / 21
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 190 / 21

Outcome results

Primary

Therapeutic Effect on Hemoglobin Level

The blood test will be taken at 6am every day. Using the same laboratory parameters.

Time frame: up to 3rd day post operative (Baseline, 24, 48 and 72hrs)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Group 1 Tranexamic AcidTherapeutic Effect on Hemoglobin LevelBaseline13.6 g/dLStandard Deviation 1.4
Group 1 Tranexamic AcidTherapeutic Effect on Hemoglobin Level24 hours10.3 g/dLStandard Deviation 1.6
Group 1 Tranexamic AcidTherapeutic Effect on Hemoglobin Level48 hours9.5 g/dLStandard Deviation 1.4
Group 1 Tranexamic AcidTherapeutic Effect on Hemoglobin Level72 hours9.3 g/dLStandard Deviation 1.5
Group 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTherapeutic Effect on Hemoglobin Level72 hours9.1 g/dLStandard Deviation 1.7
Group 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTherapeutic Effect on Hemoglobin LevelBaseline13.6 g/dLStandard Deviation 1.5
Group 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTherapeutic Effect on Hemoglobin Level48 hours9.2 g/dLStandard Deviation 1.3
Group 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTherapeutic Effect on Hemoglobin Level24 hours9.9 g/dLStandard Deviation 1.1
Secondary

Therapeutic Effect on Drainage Quantification

The blood quantification will be taken at 6am every day.

Time frame: up to 2nd day post operative (24 and 48 hrs)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Group 1 Tranexamic AcidTherapeutic Effect on Drainage Quantification24 hours246.4 mLStandard Deviation 152.3
Group 1 Tranexamic AcidTherapeutic Effect on Drainage Quantification48 hours120.8 mLStandard Deviation 94.6
Group 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTherapeutic Effect on Drainage Quantification24 hours263.2 mLStandard Deviation 192.6
Group 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTherapeutic Effect on Drainage Quantification48 hours140.2 mLStandard Deviation 127.7
Secondary

Therapeutic Effect on Hematocrit Level

The blood test will be taken at 6am every day. Using the same laboratory parameters.

Time frame: up to 3rd day post operative (Baseline, 24, 48 and 72hrs)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Group 1 Tranexamic AcidTherapeutic Effect on Hematocrit LevelBaseline41.7 percentage of HematocriteStandard Deviation 4.2
Group 1 Tranexamic AcidTherapeutic Effect on Hematocrit Level24 hours31.6 percentage of HematocriteStandard Deviation 5
Group 1 Tranexamic AcidTherapeutic Effect on Hematocrit Level48 hours29.1 percentage of HematocriteStandard Deviation 4.4
Group 1 Tranexamic AcidTherapeutic Effect on Hematocrit Level72 hours28.6 percentage of HematocriteStandard Deviation 4.7
Group 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTherapeutic Effect on Hematocrit Level72 hours27.3 percentage of HematocriteStandard Deviation 4.7
Group 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTherapeutic Effect on Hematocrit LevelBaseline41.5 percentage of HematocriteStandard Deviation 4.8
Group 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTherapeutic Effect on Hematocrit Level48 hours27.7 percentage of HematocriteStandard Deviation 3.3
Group 2 Platelet Rich PlasmaTherapeutic Effect on Hematocrit Level24 hours29.8 percentage of HematocriteStandard Deviation 3

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026