Tranexamic acid reduces postoperative bleeding in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: Tranexamic acid (TA) reduces blood loss in coronary artery surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The present prospective study was designed to investigate its hemostatic effect in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB).

METHOD: Seventy-six patients undergoing elective OPCAB were randomized into two groups, received TA (0.75 g loading dose before surgery and 250 mg/h during surgery, gross dose: 1.5 g, n=36) and saline solution (control, n=40), respectively. Perioperative blood samples were collected. Hematochemical parameters including platelet adhesion rate, D-dimer and fibrinopeptide-A (FPA) were analysis. Volume of blood loss, blood transfusion and other clinical data were recorded throughout the perioperative period.

RESULTS: Cumulative blood loss was significantly reduced in the TA group as compared to the controls postoperatively (6 hrs (median [25th-75th]): TA: 200.0 [140.0-230.0] ml,

CONTROL: 225.0 [200.0-347.5.0] ml, p=0.009; 24 hrs: TA: 440.0 [270.0-605.0] ml,

CONTROL: 655.0 [500.0-920.0] ml, p<0.001). Number of patients received blood transfusion in each group was similar. Levels of D-dimer rose significantly after surgery, and were significantly lower in the TA group than that in controls. Platelet adhesion rate and FPA levels remained at baseline levels after the operation in two groups. Early clinical outcomes were similar between groups.

CONCLUSION: The results indicated that tranexamic acid limits fibrinolysis and reduces blood loss after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.