Electronic Letters to:

Arthroplasty: K. Rajesparan, L. C. Biant, M. Ahmad, and R. E. Field The effect of an intravenous bolus of tranexamic acid on blood loss in total hip replacement J Bone Joint Surg Br 2009; 91-B: 776-783 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

eLetters: Submit a response to this article

Electronic letters published:

Aprotinin (Trasylol) does not reduce bleeding in primary THA

J Field, Edinburgh   (13 October 2009)

Aprotinin (Trasylol) does not reduce bleeding in primary THA 13 October 2009
J Field, East Glos NHS Foundation Trust FRCS, Edinburgh Send letter to journal: Re: Aprotinin (Trasylol) does not reduce bleeding in primary THA jeremy.field{at}glos.nhs.uk J Field, et al.	Sir, I read the paper by Rajesparan et al with interest but disagree with their findings. They suggest that Trasylol reduces bleeding after hip replacement. However, they only measured total blood loss, haemoglobin and haematarit. In addition, we measured hidden blood loss from the femur using a standardised method and also measured total blood loss and haemoglobin and transfusion requirement. I believe the first of those is the most accurate measurement of blood loss. There was no difference between those patients who received tranexamic acid and those who did not. I only raise this issue as our paper in the Journal of Arthroplasty was not cited. J. Field, BSc ChM FRCS FRCS (Orth), Consultant Orthopaedic & Hand Surgeon, East Glos NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire, UK. 1. Langdown AJ, Field J, Grote J, Himayatt H. Aprotinin (Trasylol) does not reduce bleeding in primary total hip arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 2000;15:1009-1012.