Kevin P Blaine1, Christopher Press2, Ken Lau2, Jan Sliwa2, Vidya K Rao2, Charles Hill2. 1. Department of Anesthesia, Pain, and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Dr, H3580, Stanford, CA 97305. Electronic address: kevin.blaine@nih.gov. 2. Department of Anesthesia, Pain, and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Dr, H3580, Stanford, CA 97305.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (εACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA) in contemporary clinical practice during a national medication shortage. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The study was performed in all consecutive cardiac surgery patients (n=128) admitted to the cardiac-surgical intensive care unit after surgery at a single academic center immediately before and during a national medication shortage. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic, clinical, and outcomes data were compared by descriptive statistics using χ2 and t test. Surgical drainage and transfusions were compared by multivariate linear regression for patients receiving εACA before the shortage and TXA during the shortage. MAIN RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, no statistical difference was found for surgical drain output (OR 1.10, CI 0.97-1.26, P=.460) or red blood cell transfusion requirement (OR 1.79, CI 0.79-2.73, P=.176). Patients receiving εACA were more likely to receive rescue hemostatic medications (OR 1.62, CI 1.02-2.55, P=.041). CONCLUSIONS: Substitution of εACA with TXA during a national medication shortage produced equivalent postoperative bleeding and red cell transfusions, although patients receiving εACA were more likely to require supplemental hemostatic agents. Published by Elsevier Inc.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (εACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA) in contemporary clinical practice during a national medication shortage. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The study was performed in all consecutive cardiac surgery patients (n=128) admitted to the cardiac-surgical intensive care unit after surgery at a single academic center immediately before and during a national medication shortage. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic, clinical, and outcomes data were compared by descriptive statistics using χ2 and t test. Surgical drainage and transfusions were compared by multivariate linear regression for patients receiving εACA before the shortage and TXA during the shortage. MAIN RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, no statistical difference was found for surgical drain output (OR 1.10, CI 0.97-1.26, P=.460) or red blood cell transfusion requirement (OR 1.79, CI 0.79-2.73, P=.176). Patients receiving εACA were more likely to receive rescue hemostatic medications (OR 1.62, CI 1.02-2.55, P=.041). CONCLUSIONS: Substitution of εACA with TXA during a national medication shortage produced equivalent postoperative bleeding and red cell transfusions, although patients receiving εACA were more likely to require supplemental hemostatic agents. Published by Elsevier Inc.