Tranexamic Acid in Proximal Humeral Fractures

Studies have shown that hip fractures have a significant perioperative blood loss. Postoperative anaemia is associated with a higher morbidity and mortality.

Tranexamic acid is a safe and effective antifibrinolytic widely used to reduce blood loss in other forms of orthopaedic surgery and in traumatized patients. However, evidence on the effectiveness of TXA in shoulder fractures is more limited. Proximal humeral fractures represent a common orthopedic injury in elderly patients The goal of this study is to assess if the use of topic tranexamic acid in patients with proximal humeral fractures will result in a reduction in blood losses and blood transfusion rates.

The hypothesis is that by providing topic TXA at the end of surgery will decrease the amount of preoperative and intraoperative bleeding thereby leading to a decreased need for postoperative transfusion.

This a blinded, controlled, therapeutic trial in which the patients will be randomized to receive TXA or no drug intervention. The primary outcome is the estimated total blood loss. Secondary outcomes, need for blood transfusion, length of stay, and rate of thromboembolic events.

Candidates for the study will be consecutive patients with a diagnosis of proximal humeral fracture. All patients meeting inclusion criteria will be recruited for enrollment into the study. Informed consent will be obtained from the patient prior to randomization.

At that time, each patient will be randomized into one of two groups by an independent staff using computer generated randomization and allocation concealment. The two patient groups will include:

1. Study group: 2 g of tranexamic acid topically infused in shoulder joint before surgical closure.
2. Control group: no intervention Both patient groups will be blinded with regard to drug intervention. Patients will be treated surgically with internal fixation or arthroplasty. Blood transfusion criteria will remain consistent with hospital standards (Hb\<7 g/dL or >9 g/dL if symptomatic anemia). Total number of blood transfusions received will be documented upon patient discharge.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis will remain consistent with hospital standards (subcutaneous heparin from admission until 12 hours prior to surgery and beginning 6 hours after surgery).

Patients will be followed 30 days. Diagnostic studies to assess for thromboembolic events (i.e. DVT, pulmonary embolism (PE), and stroke) will be ordered only if the patient develops clinical signs or symptoms that justify their use.