The Effect of Tranexamic Acid and Epsilon-Aminocaproic Acid on Bleeding During Hip and Knee Arthroplasty：A Retrospective Study

PurposeTo compare the hemostatic effect and risk of thrombosis between tranexamic acid and epsilon-aminocaproic acid.MethodsA retrospective study of 140 cases of joint replacement, including 93 cases in the tranexamic acid (TXA) group and 47 cases in the epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) group. TXA or EACA was injected intravenously 30 minutes before surgery, and TXA or EACA was infused into the joint cavity after the wound was closed. The drainage, blood loss and plasma albumin loss were observed after operation.ResultsThe postoperative hemoglobin loss in the two groups was 19.1±11.4g/L, 20.3±13.6g/L, P>0.05. However, the drainage volume of the TXA group was less than that of the EACA group, which were 103.3±92.1ml and 117.4±120.9ml, respectively, P<0.05. The blood transfusion rate in the TXA group was higher than that in the EACA group, 14% and 34%, respectively, P<0.05. The postoperative plasma albumin loss of the two groups of patients was 7.4±8.0g/L and 7.3±5.5g/L respectively, P=0.05.ConclusionsThe hemostatic effect of TXA was slightly better than that of EACA, and the proportion of transfusion of TXA was lower.Level of Evidence: Level III

INTRAARTICULAR EPSILON AMINOCAPROIC ACID VERSUS TRANEXAMIC ACID IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine and compare the clinical efficacy of intraarticular epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: This study was a prospective, single-center, double-blinded randomized controlled trial, including sixty patients with osteoarthritis of the knee divided into two groups of 30 patients. In the TXA group, 1 g of TXA (0.05 g/ml) was applied intraarticularly, and in the EACA group, 4 g of EACA (0.2 g/ml) was applied intraarticularly. Serum hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Htb) were measured during the preoperatively and 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The range of motion and pain were evaluated by clinical examination. To evaluate knee function before and 2 months after surgery, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index (WOMAC) questionnaire was used. Results: In total, 56 (93.3%) patients were evaluated up to the second postoperative month. No significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05) was found in the decrease in Hgb or Htb at 24 or 48 hours. Regarding assessment of the pain, WOMAC score and gain in knee flexion, no significant advantages up to 60 days after surgery (p > 0.05) were found. Conclusions: The decrease in Hgb and Htb during the first 48 hours postoperatively and the risk of transfusion were similar with the intraarticular use of 1 g of TXA and 4 g of EACA in TKA. The possible benefits regarding knee pain, gain in flexion and function were also similar for the two drugs. Level of Evidence II, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Single-Centre, Prospective Clinical Trial.

Tranexamic Acid versus Epsilon-Aminocaproic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis

Objective. At present, the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) and epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the differences between the effects of TXA and EACA in TKA. Methods. We used electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Ovid, ScienceDirect, Cochran Library, Google Scholar, clinical trial, and Chinese related databases, for literature search to find any effect of TXA and EACA in TKA. The differences between groups were compared by odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of four studies, including 3 randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 1 cohort study, were involved in this meta-analysis, involving 1836 participants. Among these participants, 816 belonged to the TXA group and 1020 belonged to the EACA group. Results. Meta-analysis indicated no difference in surgery time (WMD = 0.01, 95% CI −0.35 to 0.36), total amount of blood loss (WMD = 0.14, 95% CI −0.09 to 0.37), transfusion rate (OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.20 to 2.78), transfusion units per patient (SMD = −0.15, 95% CI −0.54 to 0.25), complications (OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.55), and length of stay (SMD = −0.01, 95% CI −0.11 to 0.08). Conclusions. Our results suggest that the effect of TXA is not superior to EACA in TKA. However, this conclusion still needs to be further confirmed by multicenter and large-sample clinical trials.

A New Insight on the Radioprotective Potential of Epsilon-Aminocaproic Acid

Background and objectives: The aim of the study was to scrutinize the ability of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) to prevent radiation-induced damage to human cells. Materials and Methods: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were exposed to ionizing radiation at three low doses (22.62 mGy, 45.27 mGy, and 67.88 mGy) in the presence of EACA at the concentration of 50 ng/mL. Results: EACA was able to prevent cell death induced by low-dose X-ray radiation and suppress the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). EACA also demonstrated a capacity to protect DNA from radiation-induced damage. The data indicated that EACA is capable of suppression of radiation-induced apoptosis. Comparative tests of antioxidative activity of EACA and a range of free radical scavengers showed an ability of EACA to effectively inhibit the generation of ROS. Conclusions: This study showed that the pretreatment of PBMCs with EACA is able to protect the cells from radiation-elicited damage, including free radicals’ formation, DNA damage, and apoptosis.

Comparison between epsilon-aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid for total hip and knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis

Background: The aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: Potential academic articles were identified from the Cochrane Library, Springer, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases from inception to December 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs involving EACA and TXA in THA or TKA were included. Pooled data were analyzed using RevMan 5.1. Results: Three RCTs and three non-RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The present meta-analysis reveals that EACA is associated with significantly more blood loss than TXA. No significant differences were identified in terms of blood transfusion rate, transfusion units, hemoglobin (Hb) level at discharge, operation time, length of hospital stay, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), or 30-day readmission. Conclusions: Compared with TXA, EACA led to more blood loss in patients undergoing THA or TKA. However, there was no significant difference in the blood transfusion rate, transfusion units, Hb level at discharge, operation time, length of hospital stay, DVT, or 30-day readmission between groups.

Determination of Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid Based on Charge Transfer Complexation with p-Nitrophenlol by Spectrophotometry

: A spectrophotometry was investigated for the determination of epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) with p-nitrophenol (PNP). The method was based on a charge transfer (CT) complexation of this drug as n-electron donor with π-acceptor PNP. Experiment indicated that the CT complexation was carried out at room temperature for 10 minutes in dimethyl sulfoxide solvent. The spectrum obtained for EACA/PNP system showed the maximum absorption band at wavelength of 425 nm. The stoichiometry of the CT complex was found to be 1:1 ratio by Job’s method between the donor and the acceptor. Different variables affecting the complexation were carefully studied and optimized. At the optimum reaction conditions, Beer’s law was obeyed in a concentration limit of 1～6 µg mL-1. The relative standard deviation was less than 2.9%. The apparent molar absoptivity was determined to be 1.86×104 L mol-1cm-1 at 425 nm. The CT complexation was also confirmed by both FTIR and 1H NMR measurements. The thermodynamic properties and reaction mechanism of the CT complexation have been discussed. The developed method could be applied successfully for the determination of the studied compound in its pharmaceutical dosage forms with a good precision and accuracy compared to official method as revealed by t- and F-tests.