Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid (EACA) for the Reduction of Blood Loss in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)

Mayo Clinic

Status

Completed

Conditions

Osteoarthritis

Degenerative Joint Disease

Treatments

Other: EACA

Other: Placebo arm

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT01391182

11-001111

Details and patient eligibility

About

You are being asked to take part in this research study because you are scheduled to have total hip replacement (arthroplasty) surgery. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug, epsilon Aminocaproic Acid (EACA), in decreasing the need for patients to receive blood after surgery. Currently, EACA is approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a patient who is bleeding. The investigators plan to use EACA to prevent bleeding during and after surgery; use of this drug as a means of preventing bleeding is not currently approved by the FDA.

Full description

The goal of this prospective randomized study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a drug, epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA), in reducing the frequency of postoperative blood transfusion following primary total hip arthroplasty. In our institution, up to 40% of patients with a preoperative of 13.5 g/dl or less undergoing total hip arthroplasty will require a blood transfusion. Fibrinolytic drugs such as EACA and tranexamic acid (TA) have been shown to decrease blood loss during surgery and decrease the likelihood of blood transfusion during postoperative hospitalization.. Both drugs decrease the body's ability to break down a blood clot, thus pushing the balance of blood clot formation and breakdown towards clot formation. This mechanism can decrease the amount of blood loss during and after a surgical procedure. The haemostatic effect of EACA has been investigated in multiple studies with the majority showing a positive effect on postoperative hemoglobin levels and decreased blood transfusion rates. Though several studies exist revealing the effective and safe use of perioperative TA, a similar drug to EACA, there is a paucity of information on the use of EACA in total joint arthroplasty.

Trial design

60 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

EACA arm

Active Comparator group

Description:

In order to obtain sufficient power, a total of 120 patients will be studied, 60 in each group. The surgeon performing the case, their staff, the anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist and the patient will be blinded to whether the patient received EACA or placebo. Pharmacy will prepare the EACA dose or the saline. Serum hemoglobin levels with be drawn preoperatively and on post operative days one, two, and three. The first dose will be given in the operating room prior to incision (within 30 minutes of the incision). The second dose will be given four hours after the first dose. Two doses are given due to the short half-life of EACA. The timing of administration of EACA will be recorded.

Treatment:

Other: EACA

Placebo arm

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

In order to obtain sufficient power, a total of 120 patients will be studied, 60 in each group. The surgeon performing the case, their staff, the anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist and the patient will be blinded to whether the patient received EACA or placebo. Pharmacy will prepare the EACA dose or the saline. Serum hemoglobin levels with be drawn preoperatively and on post operative days one, two, and three. The first dose will be given in the operating room prior to incision (within 30 minutes of the incision). The second dose will be given four hours after the first dose. Two doses are given due to the short half-life of EACA. The timing of administration of EACA will be recorded.

Treatment:

Other: Placebo arm

Trial contacts and locations

1

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