Systemic hemostatic medications for reducing surgical blood loss

OBJECTIVE: To review randomized trials involving the use of systemic hemost atic medications for reducing surgical blood loss. DATA SOURCES: Articles were obtained through searches of MEDLINE (1966-Sept ember 2000). The bibliographies of retrieved publications were reviewed for additional references. STUDY SELECTION: All randomized studies and pharmacoeconomic evaluations th at involved medications used for systemic asis in the perioperative period were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Randomized studies involving conjugated estrogens, aminoca proic acid, tranexamic acid, desmopressin, and aprotinin for systemic hemos tasis were extracted. Studies of proton-pump inhibitors for upper gastroint estinal bleeding and octreotide for variceal bleeding were excluded, as wer e trials involving the use of any hemostatic agent for cardiovascular surge ry. The primary outcome under review was a reduction in bleeding as defined by reduced transfusion requirements. DATA SYNTHESIS: There is limited efficacy and toxicity information concerni ng the use of conjugated estrogens for reducing surgery-related bleeding. S imilarly, there are a limited number of randomized studies involving aminoc aproic acid and tranexamic acid, and with the exception of tranexamic acid for reducing transfusion requirements with knee surgery, the study results are either conflicting or negative. For desmopressin, evidence from a subst antial number of randomized trials documents its lack of efficacy. Aprotini n; Eras reduced bleeding and transfusion requirements in a number of random ized studies involving patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, but cost-eff ectiveness studies are needed to better define its therapeutic role. Trials of aprotinin during hepatic surgery have yielded conflicting results. CONCLUSIONS: Most hemostatic medications used for reducing surgery-related bleeding have limited or contradictory evidence of efficacy.