Epsilon-Aminocaproaic Acid to Reduce the Need for Blood Transfusions During and Following Spine Surgery

Spine surgery is often required to correct a number of diseases, including spondylosis, pseudoarthrosis, scoliosis, or other spinal deformities. Spine surgery is often associated with significant blood loss and individuals may require multiple blood transfusions during and following surgery. Blood transfusions are expensive and carry an increased risk of health complications, including fever, allergic reactions, or infections. Preliminary research has shown that EACA may be beneficial for individuals undergoing spine surgery. In addition, EACA appears to be safer and less expensive than other medications typically used to treat serious bleeding. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of EACA at reducing the number of blood transfusions required during and following spine surgery in adults.

This study will enroll individuals who are undergoing spine surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Prior to surgery, participants' demographic data and medical history will be collected. Participants will then be randomly assigned to receive either EACA or placebo intravenously during surgery and for 8 hours following surgery in the intensive care unit (ICU). While in the hospital, participants will have blood drawn frequently for laboratory testing. They will receive blood transfusions as needed and will be closely monitored for blood loss and any medical, surgical, or transfusion complications. Outcome measurements related to the amount of transfused blood required and postoperative complications will be collected on the 8th day following surgery. Study participation will end on the day of hospital discharge or the day of a necessary second surgery.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of spondylosis, pseudoarthrosis, kyphoscoliosis, or acquired or congenital spine deformity
• Willing to undergo elective spinal surgery by a participating surgeon; eligible procedures include the following: spine osteotomy, arthrodesis, instrumentation and/or corpectomy, surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis, or surgery for degenerative disc disease

Exclusion criteria

• Requires urgent or emergent surgery
• Has kidney failure that requires dialysis
• Has a known bleeding diathesis, defined as a documented history of an inherited bleeding disorder (e.g., hemophilia or von Willebrand's disease) OR prothrombin time ratio greater than 1.5 seconds OR a documented previous arterial or venous thrombosis within 1 year of study entry
• Pregnant