Prophylactic hemostatic drugs do not reduce hemorrhage: Thromboelastographic study during upper abdominal surgery

Area of Science:

• Surgical research
• Pharmacology
• Hemostasis

Background:

• Hemostatic drugs are used to reduce surgical hemorrhage, but their effectiveness is debated.
• Limited research exists on the prophylactic benefits of hemostatic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prophylactic effects of carbazochrome sodium sulfonate and tranexamic acid on intraoperative bleeding.
• To clarify the impact of these hemostatic drugs on bleeding during surgery.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 30 adult patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery.
• Patients were assigned to receive hemostatic drugs (carbazochrome sodium sulfonate and tranexamic acid) or no drugs.
• Coagulation tests (PT, APTT, FIB) and thromboelastography (R, K, MA, α) were performed pre- and post-surgery.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in blood loss was observed between the group receiving hemostatic drugs and the control group.
• While some coagulation parameters changed in both groups, these drugs did not demonstrate a prophylactic effect on bleeding.
• Significant changes in MA, α, and FIB were noted in the control group, suggesting endogenous compensatory mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Carbazochrome sodium sulfonate and tranexamic acid did not show prophylactic effects on intraoperative bleeding in this study population.
• Further research is required to determine the clinical applicability of these findings across diverse surgical patient groups.
• The study highlights the need for more evidence regarding the true efficacy of hemostatic drugs in surgical settings.