TRACTION Trial reveals inexpensive drug could save lives and 50,000 units of blood per year
2 min read
UM Today Staff
Summary
Use of common drug could reduce blood loss, the need for transfusions and save money: NEJM study
Inexpensive drug should be used in most major surgeries to prevent blood transfusion
A landmark clinical trial published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine(external link) found that tranexamic acid reduced transfusions across major surgeries without increasing the risk of dangerous blood clots.
“One transfusion in Canada costs more than $700 CAD, compared to under $10 for tranexamic acid. We estimate that the routine adoption of tranexamic in major non-cardiac surgeries could save 50,000 units of blood each year in Canada and millions of units around the world; the savings to health-care systems will be profound,”
- Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, a hematologist, critical care physician, and clinician-scientist at the University of Manitoba and CancerCare Manitoba.
Read the full UM Today story here.
Click to learn more about the TRACTION trial.