Tranexamic Acid in HIp Fracture Surgery (THIF Study)

Studies in hip and knee arthroplasty (scheduled surgery) have shown that tranexamic acid decreases allogeneic red blood cell transfusion. In hip fracture surgery, an emergent procedure, transfusion is frequent. Transfusion increases adverse events such as postoperative bacterial infection and venous thrombosis. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of tranexamic acid, an anti-fibrinolytic agent, in hip fracture surgery on the reduction of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion. The trial will also evaluate if the reduction in transfusion will be associated with less postoperative infection and without an increase in the thrombotic risk.

Patients with an isolated hip fracture of less than 48 hours will be randomized to either tranexamic acid 15mg/kg IV at skin incision and three hours later or saline.Patients will receive fondaparinux for prophylaxis of venous thrombosis.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient requiring surgery for an isolated hip fracture of less than 48 hours

Exclusion criteria

• Contraindication to tranexamic acid
• Contraindication to fondaparinux
• Contraindication to general anesthesia associated with a femoral nerve block
• pregnancy