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Int J Med Sci 2018; 15(8):788-795. doi:10.7150/ijms.25008 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Effects of Tranexamic Acid Based on its Population Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Distraction Osteogenesis for Craniosynostosis: Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM^TM) Analysis

Eun Jung Kim¹, Yong Oock Kim², Kyu Won Shim³, Byung Woong Ko⁴, Jong Wha Lee⁵, Bon-Nyeo Koo^1✉

1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Institute for Human Tissue Restoration, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
3. Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Craniofacial Reforming and Reconstruction Clinic, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
4. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
5. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

✉ Corresponding authors: Jong Wha Lee, MD, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, 1071, Anyangcheon-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul 07985, Korea. Phone: +82-2-2650-5285; Fax: +82-2-2655-2924; E-mail: jhanesac.kr and Bon-Nyeo Koo, MD, PhD, Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anaesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea. Phone: +82-2-2228-8513; Fax: +82-2-2227-7897; E-mail: KOOBNac More

Abstract

Background: Distraction osteogenesis for craniosynostosis is associated with significant hemorrhage. Additionally, patients usually require several transfusions. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective for reducing blood loss and the need for transfusions during surgeries. However, the significance of TXA infusion has not been thoroughly described yet.

Methods: Forty-eight children undergoing distraction osteogenesis for craniosynostosis were administered intraoperative TXA infusion (loading dose of 10 mg/kg for 15 min, followed by continuous infusion at 5 mg/kg/h throughout surgery; n = 23) or normal saline (control, n = 25). Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM^TM) was conducted to monitor changes in coagulation perioperatively.

Results: Blood loss during surgery was significantly lower in the TXA-treated group than it was in the control group (81 vs. 116 mL/kg, P = 0.003). Furthermore, significantly fewer transfusions of red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma were required in the TXA group. In the control group, clotting time during the postoperative period was longer than it was during the preoperative period. Similarly, clot strength was weaker during the postoperative period. D-dimer levels dramatically increased in the control group compared with the TXA group after surgery. The duration of mechanical ventilation and the number of postoperative respiratory-related complications were significantly greater in the control group than they were in the TXA group.

Conclusions: TXA infusion based on population pharmacokinetic analysis is effective in reducing blood loss and the need for transfusions during the surgical treatment of craniosynostosis. It can also prevent the increase in D-dimer levels without affecting systemic hemostasis.

Keywords: tranexamic acid, rotational thromboelastometry, craniosynostosis, transfusion

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