You are completing a preoperative evaluation of a 66-year-old woman with a history of deep vein thrombosis who is scheduled for total knee arthroplasty. Based on a recent study, which of the following is the MOST likely outcome for this patient if you administer tranexamic acid (TXA) during the procedure, compared with a similar patient who does not receive TXA?
The antifibrinolytic agent TXA is widely used in total hip and knee arthroplasties because of its proven benefit in reducing blood loss. However, there is some concern that TXA may increase the risk of thromboembolic complications, renal dysfunction, or seizure, especially in patients with known risk factors for these complications. A recent retrospective cohort study sought to evaluate the association between the use of TXA and the risk of blood transfusions and complications when used in high-risk patients. Complications were evaluated as the composite of new-onset venous thromboembolism (VTE), myocardial...
