Article Document Information Content Entity Continuant Continuant Entity Entity Review Generically Dependent Continuant 2025-05-06T07:21:40 RDF description of Tranexamic acid use in the surgical arena: a narrative review [review] - http://repository.healthpartners.com/individual/document-rn36832 <p>INTRODUCTION: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a potent antifibrinolytic drug that inhibits the activation of plasmin by plasminogen. While not a new medication, TXA has quickly gained traction across a variety of surgical subspecialties to prevent and treat bleeding. Knowledge on the use of this drug is essential for the modern surgeon to continue to provide excellent care to their patients. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the PubMed database was conducted of articles published within the last 10 y (2014-2024) relating to TXA and its use in various surgical subspecialties. Seminal studies regarding the use of TXA older than 10 y were included from the author's archives. RESULTS: Indications for TXA are not limited to trauma alone, and TXA is utilized across a variety of surgical subspecialties from neurosurgery to hepatic surgery to control hemorrhage. Overall, TXA is well tolerated with common dose-dependent adverse effects, including headache, nasal symptoms, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. More severe adverse events are rare and easily mitigated by not exceeding a dose of 50 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of TXA as an adjunct to treat trauma saves lives. The ability of TXA to induce seizures is dose dependent with identifiable risk factors, making this serious adverse effect predictable. As for the potential for TXA to cause thrombotic events, uncertainty remains. If this association is proven to be real, the risk will likely be small, since the use of TXA is still advantageous in most situations because of its efficacy for a more common concern, bleeding.<p> 2024-08-14T19:09:03.074-05:00 review 22881 Surgery Journal of Surgical Research Drugs and Drug Therapy Tranexamic acid use in the surgical arena: a narrative review [review] 39462 document-rn36832 Critical Care 10.1016/j.jss.2024.07.042 public 302