Application of high-dose tranexamic acid in the perioperative period: a narrative review

To investigate the efficacy and safety of high-dose tranexamic acid in different types of surgeries and provide a reference for clinical practice.

We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science, Embase, and CNKI databases, from their inception to January 2025, to include representative literature related to high-dose tranexamic acid in the perioperative period for a thematic synthesis. The analysis focused on clinical evidence related to obstetric, cardiac, urologic, orthopedic, and spinal surgeries.

High-dose tranexamic acid markedly reduces blood loss and transfusion requirements in most types of surgery; however, the optimal dose varies by surgery type. Available studies have shown a favorable safety profile; however, some areas (e.g., cardiac surgery) still require careful monitoring for seizures and risk of thrombotic events.

The clinical benefit of high-dose tranexamic acid should be assessed based on surgical characteristics and patient individualization. More multicenter studies are needed to clarify the dose-effect relationship and long-term safety.