Effectiveness of Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Postoperative Blood Loss in Patients Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OP-CABG) is an accepted surgical option in treating ischemic heart disease and has proven safer than traditional on-pump CABG in terms of reducing perioperative bleeding, coagulopathy, avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass machine and its related morbidity. However, there is evidence that shows the risk of bleeding in OP-CABG due to surgical trauma, heart manipulations, and heparin-protamine exposure. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TxA) in reducing blood loss and related perioperative complications in patients undergoing OP-CABG. Method An individual matched cohort study was conducted at a cardiac centre over a period of one year. We enrolled a total of 60 patients undergoing OPCABG in our study. The basic strategy was to enroll every possible intervention patient until the desired sample size (30 in each group) was achieved and then to select and enroll controls, using a prospective individual matching strategy. Preoperative cardiac risk evaluation was done using the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II) in both groups. The intervention group (I) received TxA 10 mg/kg over 10 minutes at the time of induction while the control group (C) did not receive any TxA. Postoperative blood loss was measured by observing chest drain output 24 hourly till the chest drain tube was removed. Perioperative complications were also recorded. Results Demographics and baseline characteristics were comparable among groups (p > 0.05). The mean volume of postoperative blood loss in the I group at 24 hours and 48 hours were 352.67 ml and 86.83 ml, respectively. On the other hand, in the C group, the mean volume of postoperative blood loss was 602.00 ml and 166.3 ml. The data showed a statistically significant difference in the postoperative chest drainage output between the groups (unpaired t-test, p < 0.05) and exhibiting a significant reduction in postoperative blood loss in the I group. However, there was no significant difference in blood transfusion requirements in both of the groups (Mann Whitney U test, p > 0.05). The mean duration of postoperative complications, inotropic support, intermittent positive pressure ventilation, intensive care, and hospital stay were also comparable depicting no significant effect of TxA on reducing the perioperative morbidity. Conclusion This study showed the significance of TxA in reducing bleeding in the postoperative period in patients undergoing OP-CABG.