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Tranexamic acid for major spinal surgery

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Abstract

Patients who undergo major spinal surgery often require multiple blood transfusions. The antifibrinolytics are medications that can reduce blood-transfusion requirements in cardiac surgery and total knee arthroplasty. The present role of synthetic antifibrinolytics, especially tranexamic acid, in reducing peri-operative blood-transfusion requirements in spine surgery is still unclear. The majority of studies exploring the role of these drugs in spine surgery have limited patient enrolment and report mixed results. The goal of the present review is to discuss the pharmacology of tranexamic acid briefly. A brief synopsis of the studies using the synthetic antifibrinolytics for spine surgery is presented. Finally, the potential risks and the benefits of antifibrinolytics are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesiology, The Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus, 1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    David T. Neilipovitz

  2. Division of Critical Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4E9, Canada

    David T. Neilipovitz

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  1. David T. Neilipovitz
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Correspondence to David T. Neilipovitz.

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Neilipovitz, D.T. Tranexamic acid for major spinal surgery. Eur Spine J 13 (Suppl 1), S62–S65 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-004-0716-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-004-0716-2

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